Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area to celebrate Public Lands Day by inviting public to help clean Arkansas River from Leadville to Canon City

The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) and the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) are celebrating Colorado Public Lands Day on Saturday, May 15, by hosting the Annual Arkansas River Cleanup-Greenup.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on May 15, upwards of 200 volunteers, will work along the banks of the Arkansas River from Leadville to Cañon City and below to clean up trash and debris from the river corridor in preparation for a busy summer season. The work coincides with the start of spring snowmelt and run-off.

Volunteers may pick up a commemorative pin, gloves and trash bags the morning of the event at registration tables at the AHRA Visitors Center in Salida or at the Buena Vista Community Center in Buena Vista. Or volunteers can register online in advance.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have a large trash trailer at the Touch-A-Truck event at the Vandaveer Ranch on the southeast edge of Salida the same day. Bagged trash also can be deposited behind the entrance sign to any AHRA-managed recreation sites for pick up by AHRA staff. The non-profit group American Rivers will furnish the trash bags. Please adhere to the County guidelines regarding COVID precautions during the event

At the end of the morning, a volunteer picnic will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Vandaveer Ranch. Prizes will be awarded for Largest Piece of Trash, Strangest Piece of Trash, Most Upcycle-Worthy Piece of Trash and People’s Choice. Submit photos of your entries to ahra@state.co.us.

The AHRA launched its annual river cleanup program in 1992 in cooperation with American Rivers and National River Cleanup. In fact, that first river cleanup-greenup on May 9, 1992, earned an Honorary Proclamation by then-Gov. Roy Romer as "Arkansas River Cleanup Day."

Anyone who completes at least 48 hours of logged CPW volunteer work within a 12-month period is eligible to earn a free volunteer pass. To create a volunteer profile and log hours for this opportunity, visit the CPW CUGU Volunteer site at https://goo.gl/dHU9oy.

For more information, contact AHRA at 719-539-7289, or email ahra@state.co.us


Jeff
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