Cleanup volunteers collect garbage, cans, bottles and miscellaneous trash along the trails at the Chenango County River on Earth Day, April 22. (Submitted Photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Approximately 35 volunteers gathered on April 22, Earth Day, to clean the Chenango River Trails and Chenango River in Sherburne. The volunteers were members of the Chenango County Environmental Management Council, the Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Chenango Greenway Conservancy, Friends of Rogers, and community volunteers.

Chenango County Department of Planning and Development Planner Allison Yacano said, “The trails are a vital part of our community. These trails provide recreational opportunities for avid outdoors people of all ages. By keeping the trails cleaned and maintained, it helps to keep the environment sustainable and able to be enjoyed for years to come."

“All waterways are connected in some sort of fashion. If trash gets into our waterways, both humans and animals suffer consequences. If we can step in before it gets that far, our small community like Chenango County can have a positive effect on larger communities in our region,” she added.

The two cleanup sites were located on the Greenway River Trails, covering approximately three miles of trails along the Chenango River and at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation River Access on State Route 80 in the Town of Sherburne. A total of 4,080 pounds of trash was collected from both areas.

The trash consisted of 14 tires, clothing, blankets, shopping carts, and plastic containers and other littered items.

Allison Yacano said, “This years event had record numbers of trash collected. Knowing this, we would like to encourage the community to continue clean up efforts year-round.”

“If you or your organization are interested in hosting further cleanups throughout the year and would like organizational support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at planning@co.chenango.ny.us. Earth Day is every day, not just to be celebrated once a year,” said Yacano.

The cleanup was part of the statewide celebration from Parks and Trails New York's Canal clean sweep. The project brings awareness to the growing importance of the canal system and canal way trail used for recreation by the local community and tourists in Chenango County and across New York State. The cleanup in Chenango County was located on the Chenango Canal Heritage Trail.

The Chenango County Environmental Management Council and the Chenango County Department of Planning and Development said they would like to send their sincere gratitude to the volunteers who helped make this event a success in addition to the fact this could not have been possible without the sponsorship from Casella Waste Systems.