By Isabella Zarate
Every September, the Upper Sangamon River Conservancy (USRC) hosts the “Sangamon
River Clean Up.”
This year’s clean up took place on Saturday, September 10th.
According to USRC volunteer Scott Hays “We do it this time of year because the river tends to
be very low.”
“It definitely was this year, so that was nice.”
Prior to the event, community members and volunteers were invited to help out for the day.
“This year we had an excellent turn out,” Hays noted. With a total of 37 volunteers “All of our
available space was full in terms of the canoes and kayaks.”
Aside from community members and a crew from KingFisher Kayaking, “we had tremendous
assistance from the University of Illinois Wildlife Society Volunteers.”
The group started around 9 a.m. and made their way up the river about 3 miles finishing at the
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.
Trash and debris was both collected and disposed of by Republic Services. In all, the group
collected close to ten cubic yards of trash, of which included 12 tires.
“Two of those tires were practically brand new with the aluminum still on,” Hays added.
Another surprising find of the day, a snowboard. “Not sure why you would find a snowboard in
the river,” Hays joked.
Aside from tires and snowboards, participants collected great amounts of metal scraps and
broken glass, both of which could be harmful to anyone or anything in the river.
That’s really what river clean up is about, Hays explained. “Just simply getting the trash out for
any harmful effects it might have towards nature or the environment.”
More so, “taking care of the river and making it a more attractive place for people to be.”
To finish the day and pay thanks to volunteers, participants enjoyed lunch provided by USRC.
