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Volunteers needed for river cleanup
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An outdoors cleanup group is looking for volunteers to help keep our “Rivers Alive.”

Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (KCNB) needs local residents, river enthusiasts, outdoor lovers and anyone interested to help clean up local rivers, lakes and streams Saturday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. The group will meet at Longhorn Steakhouse of Covington before being split into groups to tackle local water sources.

Rivers Alive is sponsored by KCNB each year, with more than 300 participants each year, according to a KCNB press release. The river cleanup event is designed to bring awareness to water pollution prevention and solutions for water pollution problems while “actively removing litter from local waterways.”

“We appreciate all of the volunteers who participate every year, and we welcome those new to the event. Our goal is to continue to group the Rivers Alive event each year and bring greater awareness to the necessity of litter and pollution prevention,” said Laurie Riley, director of KCNB.

Volunteers are asked to wear shoes and long pants and prepare to get “at least a little wet.” T-shirts and free breakfast will be provided while supplies last.

And what’s better than free food and swag?

After a few hours of cleaning, groups will gather at the Georgia Wildlife Federation at 11600 Hazelbrand Road at noon for lunch and educational activities.

Cleanup assignments will include access points along Alcovy River, South River and Yellow River and their tributaries.

“We also want to recognize the City of Covington, Newton County Water and Sewage Authority, Mamie’s Kitchen and Longhorn Steakhouse, who gave generous donations to support our local event,” said Robert Phillips of the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

The local cleanup is a collaborative effort organized by KCNB and the Georgia Wildlife Federation. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program and the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation sponsor Rivers Alive on a state level.

Interested volunteers should visit kcnb.biz to print registration forms, which should be filled out and emailed or faxed to KCNB to reserve their supplies. Volunteers interested in designating certain places for groups to clean should email Phillips at rphillips@gwf.org.

For more information, email newtonclean@co.newton.ga.us or call 770-784-2015.