Delaware • New Jersey • Pennsylvania
New York • United States of America
While the main efforts of DRBC staff are focused on managing and protecting the shared interstate waters of the Delaware River Basin, they also care about helping out in our local communities. DRBC staff recently participated in a volunteer effort to clean up Little Tinicum Island in the tidal Delaware River near the Philadelphia Airport. Little Tinicum Island is part of the William Penn State Forest and is managed by the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) as a natural area. It is home to waterfowl and several wetland species of plants and animals.
Participating DRBC staff joined over 50 other volunteers at the Ridley Township Municipal Marina, Ridley, Pa., to be transported by boat over to the island. Groups were staged at two different sections of the island where the biggest clean up needs were identified. Volunteers were met with copious amounts of trash, tires, wood, and recyclables. Besides being an eyesore, removing trash from in and around waterways is important, as it helps improve water quality and habitat.
The day was cool, damp, and dreary, but spirits were high and bright as we removed approximately 15,250 pounds of debris from the island! DRBC staff enjoyed partnering with other like-minded individuals who did not mind getting their hands and feet dirty to help clean the Delaware River.
Organized by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the Philadelphia Water Department, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, United by Blue, and PA DCNR, this cleanup effort was a stark reminder of the importance of disposing of all trash and recycling properly so we can keep our rivers, streams, islands, and shorelines clean.
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P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360
Phone (609)883-9500; Fax (609)883-9522
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