Local Fishing Group Swaps Rods for Gloves for Spring Litter Clean-Up

By

spring cleanupOWENSVILLE, Ohio (April 2, 2015) —  The Buckeye United Fly Fishers is preparing some of its members to get their hands dirty for this year’s Spring Litter Clean-Up in Clermont County on April 18. Clean-up activities are scheduled at several sites through the county and the East Fork Little Miami River watershed. This year, BUFF members will be canoeing a segment of the East Fork River downstream of Batavia, to clear the river and its banks of litter and debris.

This type of community outreach is very important to the BUFF organization, which was established in 1975 to promote the conservation of fishing waters and to assist with efforts to protect natural resources. “We like to support events that help people enjoy the outdoors,” says Brian Tudor, BUFF’s Director of Conservation. “The Spring Litter Clean-Up is also an activity that helps us preserve our natural resources for future generations.”

The Spring Litter Clean-Up is a combination of two events that have proved successful for more than 20 years in Clermont County – the East Fork River Sweep and Clermont Clean & Green events.  “The support of local organizations and businesses, like BUFF, has truly helped to make these events so successful,” says Becky McClatchey, Watershed Coordinator for Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District. In addition to the support provided by BUFF, contributions from the Clermont County Visitor’s Bureau, Loveland Canoe & Kayak and the Little Miami Conservancy will help to support event activities.

Volunteers have several sites to choose from, including East Fork and Stonelick State Parks, the Villages of Bethel, Williamsburg and Amelia, among others. “We need volunteers at all of our locations on April 18,” says McClatchey. The event will take place from 9 a.m.-noon and all volunteers will be given clean-up supplies, a picnic lunch and a thank-you gift. Those interested in volunteering can register online at: www.springlittercleanup.com.

For more information about the Spring Litter Clean Up, Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District at 513-732-7075.

(Photo: Students from Milford Junior High School help out at the lower East Fork during Spring Litter Clean-Up in 2014.)