The Danville Science Center and the City of Danville are teaming up for the Dan River Spring Clean Up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, beginning at the Pepsi Building at Crossing at the Dan.
Karen Cross, the outdoor recreation division director for the city, said gloves and trash bags will be provided for participants as they pick up litter along the banks of the river.
“This is a perfect activity for parents to do with their children,” she said. “We also welcome groups such as Scout groups or church groups.”
Cross said the Clean Up will happen no matter the weather, and asks that participants dress appropriately.
“If the weather is suitable, and there are areas that need it, we may even actually be getting in some of the small streams and picking up trash along the streams,” Cross said.
Along with cleaning along the river, Cross said there are some things everyone can do to improve the environment.
“People can do this at home — cleaning up any site right around their home where there might be trash that’s collected, things that need to be recycled or even start their own compost piles.”
Cross said the Dan River Spring Clean Up highlights the need to keep the environment clean.
Sonya Wolen, assistant director of the Danville Science Center, said besides the immediate benefit of cleaning litter and debris along the river, the impact goes further.
“The bigger message is behavioral,” Wolen said. “Think about the impact of dropping something along the river or throwing something in the water. When we do programs like this, part of it is actually addressing the issue at hand like trash along the bank, but the long standing message is behavioral — think about what you are doing before you do it.”
Wolen also said the Dan River Spring Clean Up is a part of the Governor’s Stewardship Virginia Initiative.
“(Gov. Timothy M. Kaine) encourages groups and agencies statewide to take the time and do something to impact the environment in a positive fashion,” she said.
Cross said the city is asking for people who wish to participate to call Danville Outdoor Recreation at (434) 799-5215 or the Danville Science Center at (434) 791-5160 by 5 p.m. today for planning purposes. Cross also said anyone is welcome to show up Saturday morning.
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