The City of Suffolk is a participating locality in the 30th annual Clean the Bay Day set for Saturday, June 2nd from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Clean the Bay Day is a regional waterway and shoreline litter cleanup sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Organizers are hoping kayakers and canoers will register to help clean the Nansemond River or Bennett’s Creek. Watercrafts can launch from Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina to access the Nansemond River, or the Bennett’s Creek Park boat ramp for Bennett’s Creek.
If you do not have a watercraft, there are plenty of other locations available:
• Lake Meade Park and Holly Lawn Cemetery
• Downtown cleanup meeting at Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina
• Bennett’s Creek Park
• Girl Scout Road meeting at the Western Branch Boat Ramp
• Lake Prince Drive meeting at the Lake Prince Boat Ramp
Last year, local organizers had over 200 people register in Suffolk and hope that this year even more people get involved. The parks are great locations for younger kids to take part. In addition, this year there are two roadside cleanups. The hope is to have a strong turnout at both these locations because both roads are next to our beautiful waterways.
Wayne Jones, Suffolk Litter Control Coordinator, says, “Registering takes only seconds and helps us to coordinate all the cleanups across the City. For parents, it’s a fun few hours with the kids and a great learning experience for all. I hope all the kayakers and canoers who came out last year return again. We are very fortunate to have a river running through the heart of our City, but we must be responsible for keeping it clean.”
Anyone can volunteer, by foot or by boat, individuals, families, civic organizations, business groups, scouts, students. Boaters – bring your kayaks, canoes, or any shallow water boat. Larger boats also are helpful as collection points for smaller boats.
“Clean the Bay Day is a great way for Virginians to do their part for the waterways we enjoy every day,” said Tanner Council, CBF’s Clean the Bay Day Coordinator. “It’s really become a unique Virginia tradition. With so many people working together, in just a few hours we make a huge difference in cleaning up the Bay, rivers, streams, lakes, and beaches across the state.”
You can register online:
http://www.cbf.org/clean-the-bay-day/locations-registration
For more information, call Wayne Jones, Suffolk Litter Control Coordinator, at (757) 514-7604, or e-mail littercontrol@suffolkva.us.