Over the weekend, MWA and the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper hosted the second river cleanup of 2023! More than 30 people, including MWA staff and volunteers, joined us at Cedar Creek Park to spend their Saturday on the river.
Staff and volunteers geared up, then pushed off down the Youghiogheny River toward West Newton.
In the four miles they paddled, our cleanup crew removed over 200 tires from the banks and the riverbed. They also gathered dozens of trash bags full of plastic and scrap metal. The Belle Vernon High School Outdoors Club had the largest group showing, and the students were keen to set a trash-collection speed record. (And they probably did – those kids were super efficient!)
Once all the trash was collected at the takeout, the gang (those who were 21 and older) changed into warm clothes and headed over to Bloom Brew for a well-deserved beverage at their beer garden along the Yough.
MWA would like to extend a huge amount of gratitude to everyone who helped with the river cleanup! Their work was truly essential in helping us #defendtheyough
An extra big thanks to Hazelbakers Canoe Rentals, Wilderness Voyageurs, and Bloom Brew for your help facilitating this event!
Want to get involved at MWA?
If you want to help out, join us for an upcoming volunteer event or follow this link to get started as a regular volunteer. Help us preserve and protect the Youghiogheny River, and come have some fun with us!