Overnight lows in the upper 20s didn’t stop a group of volunteers from gathering to clean up the banks of the Iowa River early last Saturday morning. If you’re going to break out your winter coat, hat, and gloves before November, it may as well be for a good cause: keeping litter out of Iowa’s waterways.
Oct. 17 marked the fourth year that staff, students, and community members have joined hands to help keep Iowa City’s portion of the river beautiful. This year, 24 volunteers collected two truckloads of trash in just a couple hours. The trash was then sorted into recyclables and non-recyclables. Among the unusual items found this year were two couch cushions, an appliance dolly, and intact, unopened beverage containers.
University of Iowa Office of Sustainability Director Liz Christiansen says her office supports the clean-up because it’s a way to reconnect the community with the Iowa River. “Besides just cleaning up, those who participate see what trash does to our riverfront, and they become personally committed to improving our natural resources,” she adds.
Sponsors of the Great Annual Iowa Riverwalk Clean-up were IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, the City of Iowa City, UI Facilities Management, the Engineering Staff Advisory Council, the Iowa Geological Survey, and the UI Office of Sustainability.
