Volunteers needed for two area wide cleanup events on February 27

Leon County Forest Cleanup and Keep Wakulla County Beautiful focus on

Apalachicola National Forest, Leon and Wakulla Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2016—For Immediate Release. Volunteers from the U.S. Forest Service alongside Leon and Wakulla County residents, community organizations, and county and city agencies will participate in two area wide cleanup events on Saturday, February 27, 2016.

The Forest Cleanup in Leon County is sponsored by the Forest Edge Neighborhood, Leon County and various forest user groups. The event attracts volunteers who participate in cleanup efforts in the Leon County portion of the Apalachicola National Forest.

This year’s Forest Cleanup starts at 8 a.m., on Forest Road 305, off Rivers Road. Volunteers must preregister via the event website at www.forestcleanup.org. For more information contact Sharon Gray at 850-877-6579 or email her at aplantomeet@earthlink.net. Forest Edge Neighborhood will be providing a free lunch for preregistered volunteers from 12-2 p.m.

In Wakulla County, volunteers will meet at FH-13 Government Pond for the Keep Wakulla County Beautiful trash pickup at 8 a.m. Participants must register with JoAnn Palmer by calling 850-745-7111 or by emailing her athelpkwcb@gmail.com. Lunch will be provided free from 12-2 p.m. for all volunteers.

“Dumping of household trash in the Apalachicola National Forest continues to be a major issue,” said longtime volunteer Sharon Gray. “In addition to spoiling the environment for others, bags of household trash contain items that are harmful to wildlife. I hope people will volunteer to help. Participation will heighten awareness of the illegal dumping issue.”

Each year teams of volunteers clean up “hot spots” identified by the Forest Service, Leon County Sheriff’s Department and forest user groups. Leon County Public Works, Solid Waste Division and Recycling also consistently supports the cleanup effort every year.

According to Recreation Program Manager Chandra Roberts, “The enthusiasm of the volunteers is awesome to see and every year their participation makes the cleanup a great success. Visitors to the forest can help us stamp out the problem of illegal dumping by reporting this criminal activity to our law enforcement officers so we can take action.”

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