Volunteers Sought for May 12 River Sweep

Volunteers are being sought for the 21st annual DuPage River Sweep, in which local people help remove debris and litter from the river in order to improve water quality, reduce flood risk and enhance safety for people and animals.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon May 12**, followed by a barbecue for all participants. Volunteers can be individuals, families, groups and organizations, such as scouting troops.

The event's name is derived from the concept of “sweep our rivers clean” and is organized locally by Conservation Plainfield, which is a collaborative effort of the , , , , and Plainfield-area residents and businesses.  It's been held annually since 1991, during which time more than 6,300 volunteers have removed more than 185 tons of garbage.

To participate, contact Jonathan Proulx in the Plainfield Planning Department at 815-609-6139 by May 5 or go to www.conservationplainfield.com for more information and the registration form. 

For more information about The Conservation Foundation and the regional DuPage River Sweep, visit www.theconservationfoundation.org.

** CORRECTION: An incorrect date was published in an earlier version of this story.