On Saturday, April 13, in honor of Earth Day,Somerville residents and local organizations will cleanup litter and other debris throughout the borough's parks, brooks and other public areas.
Last year's event yielded many large garbage bags of litter, as well as bicycles, tires, shopping carts and construction materials which had been deposited in the brooks. The event is sponsored by the Somerville Environmental Commission and Somerville Public Works Department.
Volunteers are now being sought. Anyone able to donate an hour or two to participate in this Earth Day Clean-up should meet at the Somerville High School Parking Lot at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 13th where clean up assignments will be given. No pre registration is needed. Work gloves, trash bags, and refreshments will be provided.
Tree seedlings will also be given out to anyone interested in planting them. Educational displays and speakers will be present to answer questions and give guidance on tree planting and rain gardens.
Local Girl Scout, Boy Scout, school, and youth groups are welcome to help in the clean-up. Adult volunteer groups are encouraged to assist. The Commission also encourages neighbors to get outside during the week and clean up their streets of litter, clear storm drains, and alleviate rain water run off to storm drains by directing roof gutters to the ground and installing rain barrels. For complete information on rain barrel workshops, rain garden installations visit the New Jersey Water Supply website: https://www.raritanbasin.org/
Somerville Environmental Commission members volunteer their time at monthly meetings on behalf of improving the environmental practices in town and on managing municipal shade trees. Other past activities include rain barrel workshops, tree pruning workshops, and tree plantings.
For information on upcoming projects or to share your concerns or interest in trees or the environment, visit the Somerville Borough website at www.somervillenj.org, Sustainable NJ/Environmental Commission logo located on the top of the home page.