Help Keep the PA Wilds Beautiful: Participate in the Great American Cleanup March 1-May 31

The beautiful landscapes surrounding the rural communities of the Pennsylvania Wilds contribute to making this region a great place to live, work and play. Keeping nature free of human debris is vital to ensuring it is available for future generations – and we can each play a part in that!

Did you know that the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania will be held March 1 through May 31 this year?

During this time, Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth will be joining folks from across the nation during the Great American Cleanup – where citizens form volunteer groups and get to work cleaning up litter along roadsides, neighborhoods, parks, streams, forests, beaches and more! In addition to litter pickups and illegal dump site cleanups, other activities commonly organized during this time period include collections for hard-to-dispose-of items like appliances and tires; development of green areas, where volunteers plant gardens and/or trees; organized community beautification projects, such as removal of graffiti; and planned educational outreach events/programs.

According to the Great American Cleanup of PA, in 2017 there were 7,280 events organized during the Great American Cleanup that brought together 132,697 volunteers who helped clear 5,346,943 pounds of trash and 20,858 tires from along 11,168 miles of roads, shores and trails. In addition, 16,437 trees, shrubs and flowers were planted.

Agencies and local businesses work with volunteer groups to help make these projects easier. For example, registered events can receive free cleanup supplies (including bags, gloves and vests donated by PennDOT and Keep America Beautiful) during the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania.

Anyone can participate – from conservation organizations to business groups; community and civic associations to schools and youth groups; hunting, fishing or recreational clubs and sports teams to families and friends!

For information about how to register an event near you; to find tips relating to safety, discarding electronics, promoting your event, and more; or for additional resources relating to hosting an event for the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, visit www.gacofpa.org/organize-an-event/.