In celebration of Earth Day, over 60 volunteers gathered early Saturday morning to remove litter and debris along the Elk River in Nicholas County.
Organized by the Elk River Watershed Association, the cleanup covered nearly three miles of riverbank stretching from Craigsville to Birch River. Volunteers collected nearly 1.5 tons of trash, including tires, plastic bottles, and even an old shopping cart.
“Our rivers are vital for our communities, our wildlife, and our recreation,” said organizer Stephanie Rice. “It’s inspiring to see so many people come out to help.”
Among the volunteers were families, high school students, and a local kayak club. Many worked in waders or paddled canoes along the river to reach debris tangled in tree roots.
Local resident Jordan Thomas, 17, said participating gave him a new appreciation for the environment.
“I fish here all the time,” he said. “I didn’t realize how much trash there was until I started looking for it.”
The association plans to hold additional cleanups throughout the summer and hopes to expand the program to smaller streams in the area.
“We can’t fix everything in one day,” Rice said. “But each piece of trash we pull out makes the river healthier and keeps our community beautiful.”
