Cleaning up in Honor of Earth Day

In recognition of "Earth Day 2011," The Moodus Sportsman's Club, The East Haddam Rotary Club, The East Haddam Community Lions and the East Haddam Scout Troops will sponsor the "Annual Town-Wide Clean Up Day" on Saturday.

All East Haddam residents are welcome and encouraged to join in.

Earth Day, which will be celebrated by more than 140 countries world-wide, has two separate observances. Some celebrate on the Vernal Equinox, or the first day of spring, but here in our area it is more commonly celebrated on April 22nd, which falls just prior to Easter weekend this year.

This observance, which is an attempt to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth and our environment, was originally founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. Nelson wanted to promote respect for the planet and encourage awareness of the ever-growing problem of soil, air, and water pollution.

Jim Ventres, East Haddam's Land Use Administrator and event coordinator, recalls one of the original clean-up attempts, when this annual town project was first started, over 10 years ago.

"We pulled three cars and numerous old tires out of the woods (maybe a hundred, or so) at the Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area over on Wickham Road," he said. "Even if we could encourage residents to work along their own roads, that would be great. And once clean-up is accomplished, it's only a matter of maintenance."

Volunteers with trucks are needed to make rounds to pick up bags that will be left on the roadsides by people who are unable to transport trash or large objects to the East Haddam Transfer Station. Or you can simply just begin working on your road or street at whatever time is convenient for you. Every effort is important.

On one recent Sunday afternoon three East Haddam girls decided to get a head start on this project. They had been out for a walk on the Lower Moodus Reservoir boat launch and noticed a lot of trash, plastic bottles and broken glass.

 When asked what had inspired them to take on this task, Brittany Cassella, age 12, replied, "We came down for a walk on the boat launch and saw a bunch of broken glass, and noticed a dead bird lying in the middle of it, and it made us very sad. We wanted to do something so this won't happen again." They buried the bird, then went home to get a wagon and a trash bag to start clean up efforts.

"I think it's very important to keep the environment clean and safe," said Ashley Cassella, who is 11.

A friend of theirs, Caitlin Wright, also 11, agreed. " I don't want to see the birds and other animals die because of all of the trash people leave around," she said.

The girls spent a good part of the afternoon picking up glass, plastic bottles, cans, and other miscellaneous garbage that had either been discarded by visitors, or had washed up from the lake and onto the shoreline.

On Saturday, all areas of town will be targeted, including roadsides, parks, boat launches, lakes, and streams. It's recommended that you dress accordingly.  Gloves and sturdy footwear for safety, as well as bright-colored clothing to be sure that you're clearly visible to passing motorists for roadside work has been suggested. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

"This is a good way to show our civic pride, and it draws attention to the need to keep our town clean and beautiful," said Will Brady, a member of the Sportsman's Club who is also working on the coordination of this clean-up operation.

The event will feature a lunch and gathering for participants at the Moodus Sportsman's Club, 299 East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike, (next to the Town Beach) following the clean-up efforts. The lunch will start at noon and will include such food items as seafood bisque, wild mushroom and rice croquettes, pasta with marinara, sausage and peppers, coffee, iced tea and lemonade.

Those interested in taking part in the cleanup can meet at the East Haddam Grange Hall parking lot, 488 Town St., starting between 7:30- 8:00 a.m., and either request an area to work on, or be assigned one. Garbage bags will be provided.

To sign up, request an area to work on, report an area in town that you think needs attention, or for more information, contact Ventres or Jan Lombardo, at 860-873-5031.