September 8, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Hannah Sanger, Environmental Educator, 234-6518

THREE CLEANUPS THIS WEEK ON THE PORTNEUF RIVER
Volunteers Participating in Cleanup of the River

On September 9 and 10, 2008, hundreds of volunteers from the Central Pocatello LDS Stake will be removing six clumps of invasive siberian elm trees from Sacajawea Park. The elms are currently shading out native species that use to thrive along the Portneuf River. In order to facilitate the return of a native tree canopy, the City of Pocatello will be replanting the area with several species of native trees.

These volunteers will also be picking up trash and debris and pulling the invasive weeds that have grown up with the recent watering at the park. Six different species of native grasses were planted at the park earlier this summer, and they are now poking up about six inches high. Anything higher is a week ready to be pulled.

Complementing this effort is the “Clean the Portneuf” event on Saturday, September 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. All participants must meet at Raymond Park (just north of Irving Middle School) at 9:30 a.m. to pickup trash bags, to get a cleaning assignment and to sign a liability waiver. Every volunteer must sign a liability waiver before they will be permitted to start work.

Participants are asked to bring work gloves, as well as drinking water to keep healthy and hydrated. Additional useful supplies are handsaws – but absolutely no power tools – rakes, nets, boots, waders and canoes/rafts. However, anyone planning to bring a canoe/raft or waders should contact Colden Baxter at 282-6098 or baxtcold@isu.edu in advance so organizers can better coordinate work in the water and ensure that everyone entering the water has a properly fitted lifejacket.

For more information about “Clean the Portneuf,” contact Hannah Sanger, City Environmental Educator, at 234-6518.

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