National River Clean Up Week

Knoxville, TN – Over 350 cleanups took place across the country this May in National River Cleanup 2002. A unique assortment of trash was collected in this year’s successful effort. Items included washing machines, water heaters, mattresses, truck and car bodies, oil drums, bowling pins and literally tons of cans, bottles and paper trash were removed from our nation’s waterways during this all volunteer effort. Since its inception 1992, 429,555 volunteers have participated in 4,738 cleanups covering 95,269 miles of waterways during National River Cleanup Week.

National River Cleanup Week® and America Outdoors have announced May 10-17 as the dates for the 2003 NRCW event. America Outdoors®, a trade association of outfitters and guides, is the sponsor and founder of National River Cleanup Week. Government agencies, paddlesports enthusiasts, outfitters, businesses, civic, and conservation groups take part in the event. Registration is free and groups receive educational and promotional materials on conducting cleanups of waterways. Cleanups groups vary in size and can be as small as five or ten volunteers to groups numbering in the thousands. A trash tracking form is sent to each registered group, and are used to report on the amount and type of litter recovered.

The Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the USDA Forest Service have provided agency support. American Canoe Association, American Whitewater, and Professional Paddlesports Association are also supporters of National River Cleanup Week.

For more information on National River Cleanup Week visit the web site at www.americaoutdoors.org/nrcw, or call 865-558-3595.