The IU Office of Sustainability will host the Campus River Litter Cleanup event from 10 a.m..to noon on April 14 near Eagleson Ave Parking to celebrate Earth Month.
Volunteers should wear comfortable outdoor clothing and be prepared to do a thorough cleaning of the Campus River. Gloves, bags and refreshments will be provided. According to the event information, the event will take place regardless of weather and everyone is eligible to participate. Interested volunteers can register here.
An IU Bloomington Today article said IU is required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to perform a litter cleanup every year. Tanjimul Alam and Anisa Valenzuela, the event organizers and sustainability managers for the IU Office of Sustainability, said in the article that the Campus River Litter Cleanup will help to reduce the amount of litter and pollution on campus. Since the Campus River feeds directly into the White River, keeping it clean helps both the campus and the surrounding community.
While littering sometimes goes unnoticed on the IU campus, when trash finds its way to the Campus River, it can lead to disruptions in the natural ecosystem, Valenzuela said in the article.
Every morning, the university ground crew collects the trash around campus the article said. However, the spring rains and winds add to the debris in the river. The upcoming volunteer event will help with cleaning efforts already in place.
