The 17th annual Arkansas River Trash Roundup will take place on May 5. The event invites volunteers to remove tons of garbage from downtown area waters, benefitting both the river and wetlands restoration efforts at Wichita's Great Plains Nature Center.
Over the past 16 years, more than 26 tons of trash has been collected, with 2017 attracting more than 750 volunteers. Registration for 2018 volunteers begins 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5 at 151 N. Waco (on the southwest corner of Waco and North 1st Street). The 2018 goal is to sign up more than 800 volunteers and to collect more than two tons of trash. To participate:
Please fill out waiver in advance to speed up the check-in process. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt (while supplies last), trash bags, gloves, and grabbers between 8:30 am and 9:00 a.m. at North 1st and Waco streets. Click here for a registration waiver: http://www.facebook.com/events/215976222281139/
Free transportation will be provided from the registration site to the river for the cleanup activities. After the cleanup, starting at 11:30 am, a free lunch will be served including grilled burgers from Cargill, hot dogs, chips, cookies and beverages.
Serving as the City of Wichita's largest Earth Day event, the Arkansas River Trash Roundup has generated more than $100,000 in total proceeds for Wichita Ducks Unlimited. Proceeds have funded the now-completed Slate Creek wetlands restoration and supported the organization's Greenwings youth education program. The 2018 proceeds will help restore wetlands at the Great Plains Nature Center.
Sponsors and donors for this year's roundup include The City of Wichita, Cargill, Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita Ducks Unlimited, Intrust Bank, KOCH Industries, Terracon Consultants, Cox Communications, Davis/Moore BIG AL Chevrolet, Marketplace Properties, Key Construction, Dillons, Waste Connections, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Pepsi, Starbucks, Ray Rental, Party Express Bus, Coca-Cola, Success NationaLease, Spectrum Promotional, Envision, NBC World Series, PURE Productions, Drury Hotel, and Smile Craft Family Dental.
