Pierce Youth Academy pitches in for Clearwater River cleanup
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CLEARWATER RIVER, Idaho – For the fourth year, an energetic cadre of cadets from the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy, located in Pierce, pitched in to make a difference during the annual Clearwater River Cleanup Day on Sept. 17. The cadets removed hundreds of pounds of debris and trash from the river and shoreline along a 5-mile stretch from Cherry Lane to Gibbs Eddy.
“While we host this event each year to help clean up the river, our goal is to find less and less trash each time,” stated Cottonwood Field Manager Richard White. “Together with the Clearwater Management Council, we are really trying to encourage everyone who recreates on the river to leave no trace.”
The annual cleanup day event is supported by the Bureau of Land Management’s Cottonwood Field Office and the Clearwater Management Council (CMC), a multi-agency and multi-county group that cooperatively monitors and manages the environmental, social and recreational aspects of the river. It was also one of thousands of National Public Lands Day volunteer events occurring across the country this month.
In total, volunteers who participated in the cleanup event contributed over 200 hours of labor. Their efforts along the 5-mile stretch of the river will help ensure the public continues to have a quality recreational experience and enjoy the beauty of the Clearwater River.
Following the cleanup effort, volunteers enjoyed a barbecue lunch hosted by members of the CMC. In appreciation of the ChalleNGe Academy’s outstanding efforts and participation, the Council donated $400 to the IDYCA Foundation, capping off a rewarding effort to beautify the river.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.