SITE GRADE B/C - Some Steep Slopes. Full mobility suggested. Some areas may have Heavy trash. Heavy brush. Recommended for ages 16 and up. Sites containing inappropriate trash (condoms, drug paraphernalia) may also be ranked as C even if it is not difficult terrain. This site may have exposure to biohazards, sharps, stinging/biting insects, etc.
WHAT: Volunteers will join Cody Strawman and his staff from the Department of Natural Resources Environmental Emergency Response Team to clean up the Mississippi River. Volunteers will join Cody and his crew in their motorized boat as they cruise down the river to collect trash from the water and shoreline!
All volunteers must wear a life jacket (provided). Since you will be in a motorized boat, you may get wet. This is a great chance to get out on the water with the professionals!
After the clean up, join us at The Audubon Center at Riverlands for our Watershed Picnic and Festival and Passport to Clean Water educational event from 11am - 2pm to celebrate our efforts and hard work! The festival will be hosted by Open Space STL, The Audubon Center at Riverlands, and The Army Corps of Engineers, and will feature free food, drinks, and activities for the whole family!
We'll also have a trash contest for all clean up participants. Did you find the most valuable trash? The weirdest trash? The most bottles of Fireball? Bring them to the picnic for bragging rights... and prizes!
WHEN: 8:30 am - 11:00am am, Saturday, April 11th. Volunteer check-in will begin at 8:15am.
WHERE: 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386. Volunteers will check-in at The Audubon Center - see map for exact location. Participants will sign in at The Audubon Center, then travel to Lincoln Shields to enter the boat on the ramp at that location.
Homebase will be at the Audubon Center at Riverlands (Visitor Center). This will be main check-in there, welcome, supply grab. Volunteers will return to this site after the cleanup.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Dress for the weather
Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and wet
Sturdy closed-toe shoes or waterproof boots
Hat & sunscreen
The water trail will provide wet suits to participants.
WHAT TO BRING:
A filled water bottle - we recommend reusable!
snacks
Insect repellant, if preferred
Sturdy gloves, if you prefer your own. We can also provide gloves for you.
A trash grabber if you have one
REGISTRATION NOTES:
The annual OS-STL liability waiver must be signed before a volunteer can register for this cleanup opportunity. To see if you have met this qualification, please view your profile here.
