Little Juniata River Assn.: More Than 100 Volunteers Clean Up 30 Miles Of River Banks In Huntingdon, Blair Counties

On April 13, the Little Juniata River Association held its 19th Annual River Bank Clean Up that attracted over 100 volunteers to clean up 30 miles of river banks from Barrie, Huntingdon County to Altoona, Blair County.

Volunteers filled two 40 foot dumpsters with litter and trash.

The LJRA is an Adopt-a-highway group with PennDOT and has received many awards from state agencies, environmental nonprofits and national organizations for its effective protection and improvement of this Central Pennsylvania river.

Special thanks to--

-- Spruce Creek United Methodist Church in Spruce Creek, PA for providing their parking lot as a staging area and feeding delicious homemade food to ALL the volunteers (despite a total power failure due to high winds);  

-- Burgmeier’s Hauling trash company for providing free roll off dumpers and generous members who paid for the disposal of debris; 

-- Tastykake in Philly for donating treats; and 

-- All the volunteers who gave their time freely to protect our waterways and wildlife.

Beth Intoccia, Litter Lifters of West Vincent Township in Chester County, was a guest of Bill Anderson, President of Little Juniata River Association, at the event.

“This event was an incredible feat! The organizers provided supplies and guided us with group leaders- aka “captains”. I was blown away by the community effort," said Intoccia.

The Little Juniata River Association has 700+ members, including anglers, boaters, hikers, conservationists and naturalists. Contact Bill Anderson on how to become involved with the Association: bjuniata@verizon.net.  

To find a clean up event in your area or to organize one, visit Keep PA Beautiful’s The 2024 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative webpage.

If you are interested in becoming a Keep PA Beautiful Pennsylvania Waterway Steward,  contact Michelle Dunn by sending email to:  mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. 

(Contributed by Beth Intoccia, Litter Lifters of West Vincent Township.)

[Posted: April 15, 2024]  PA Environment Digest