RiverSweep Volunteers Rock the Black River

On September 11 and 12, volunteers from the Black River Action Team, 50 from the Springfield area and 18 sixth grade students from Cavendish Elementary, scoured the river bed and banks for trash and hauled out a wide array of items. From a combined 65 bags of household waste (including clothing, food, dirty diapers, and fast food containers) to 48 tires, a refrigerator door to a road sign, the garbage was sorted as well as possible and delivered to the Ludlow and Springfield transfer stations.

Cavendish students worked in a heavily-visited swimming area near their school on Sept 11th, afterward enjoying free cheese pizza donated by Goodman's American Pie of Ludlow. On Sept. 12th, Springfield BRATs were treated to hot-off-the-grill hot dogs from Youngs Furniture & Appliance. A variety of chips were donated by Deep River Snacks, and special fish-shaped cookies were on hand in Springfield as a celebration of the BRAT's 15th birthday, donated by Heritage Bakery & Deli of Chester.

A special shout-out to the boys of Cub Scout Pack #258 of Springfield and to Bob, Henry, Matt, and Moira -- this year's Tire Brigade working the lower mile of the river.

BRAT director Kelly Stettner wishes to thank everyone who supports the RiverSweep and all of the projects conducted by BRAT over the course of the year, from storm water workshops to rain barrel installations, streambank planting to water quality monitoring. To learn more about BRAT and view photos of the RiverSweep since 2000, log onto www.BlackRiverActionTeam.org.