In celebration of Earth Day, volunteers will be cleaning up several stretches of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River this weekend – and you can, too! WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River will be mobilizing cleanup crews to remove trash from the waterway.
JULIA SARGENT: When you take some time … to do something that is direct and observable to support the health of the river … there's a connection made there that can seep into other areas of your life and decisions that you make that have water quality impacts.
Julia Sargent is the organization's director of programs.
SARGENT: Like, how you fertilize your lawn, or having an awareness of the impervious surfaces on your property, and where that water is going, and what kind of state that water is in.
The efforts are a part of the Trash-Free Shenandoah Campaign organized by Shenandoah Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf.
MARK FRONDORF: The river is – in some respects, it's doing really well. In other respects, we're experiencing challenges. Two summers ago, we had a 52-and-a-half harmful algal bloom on the North Fork of the Shenandoah.
That bloom prompted the Virginia Department of Health to advise people against swimming in this stretch of the river, as it could cause rashes or gastrointestinal illness. The agency also warned it could be fatal to dogs and other animals.
FRONDORF: But in other areas, I think that one of the things that happened as a result of the pandemic is the realization of how important Mother Nature is to our health and enjoyment and wellbeing.
This weekend's volunteers are advised to wear sturdy, close-toed shoes, long pants, and gloves; and bring plenty of water and sun protection.
