Washington, D.C., May 20, 2013 -- American Rivers, a voice for healthy rivers and clean water, today announced the 2013 kickoff of National River Cleanup, a program that mobilizes volunteers across the country to clean up trash from local rivers and streams. Over the past 20 years, more than one million National River Cleanup volunteers have removed 13 million pounds of litter from rivers across America.
Healthy rivers provide major benefits like clean drinking water, habitat for fish and wildlife, and opportunities for fishing, boating, and other recreation. Communities nationwide are protecting and restoring their rivers to boost economic growth and quality of life. Unfortunately, millions of tons of trash -- including trash bags, old appliances and tires -- end up in our rivers and streams each year. River cleanups help turn forgotten streams into community assets once again.
"National River Cleanup provides an excellent opportunity for children and adults alike to give back to their communities and help their local rivers," said Alexis Goggans, National River Cleanup campaign manager for American Rivers. "Participants of river cleanups often go on to become lifelong stewards of their local waterways."
To learn more about National River Cleanup, find a river cleanup near you or organize your own cleanup, visit www.AmericanRivers.org/Cleanup.
The National River Cleanup Program is sponsored by Cox Enterprises, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and REI. These companies have made a long-term commitment to American Rivers’ work to protect and restore rivers across the country.
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