Confluence Trash Bash Set for March 24

Great Rivers Greenway, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri American Water are proud to sponsor the 10th annual Confluence Trash Bash, being held Saturday, March 24, 2018, from 8 a.m. to noon. Area residents are invited to join cleanup efforts, helping to improve the condition of our waterways. To date, volunteers have removed more than 140 tons of trash and about 6,400 tires from area streams and rivers.

Volunteers can choose from the following locations for check-in and a free bagel breakfast from 8-8:45 a.m.:

• Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, 801 Strodtman Rd, St. Louis, MO 63138
• Creve Coeur Park, 2160 Creve Coeur Mill Road, St. Louis, MO 63146
• Chesterfield River's Edge Park, 17089 North Outer 40 Rd #140, Chesterfield, MO 63005 (Ages 16 and older only)
• Florissant Sunset Park, 2300 Sunset Park Drive, Florissant, MO 63031
• Bridgeton Government Center, 12355 Natural Bridge Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044
• Hanley Hills City Hall, 7713 Utica Dr., St. Louis, MO 63133
• Overland Wild Acres Park, 2500 Ashby Road, Overland, MO 63114

Specific cleanup sites will then be assigned near each of the starting locations. Volunteers can also choose to be a single-stream waste sorter at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (10950 Riverview Drive, 63137) to help organizers recycle as much of the trash and debris removed from the waterways as possible and divert it from the landfill.

“The Confluence Trash Bash is the perfect cleanup for seasoned volunteers and newcomers alike,” says Tom Schweiss, Great Rivers Greenway Conservation Program Manager. “This one-day event brings together people of all ages who are willing to work hard, have fun, and get a little bit muddy to improve water quality and wildlife habit. At the end of the day, it’s always rewarding to see how much trash we have removed from the waterways surrounding the Confluence in just three hours.”

All are welcome, and no experience is required. Individual volunteers, civic groups and youth organizations are encouraged to attend. Volunteers should dress for the weather and bring a water bottle and gloves. Trash bags will be provided. Transportation is available for school and other groups by contacting Colleen Scott with the Missouri Department of Conservation via email at Colleen.Scott@mdc.mo.gov.

Partners on this event include St. Louis Audubon, Greenway Network, League of Watershed Guardians, St. Louis Brightside, St. Louis County, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Missouri Stream Team. Participating municipalities include St. Louis County, cities of St. Louis, Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, Florissant, Bridgeton, Overland, Hanley Hills, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Jennings, Normandy, Black Jack, Hazelwood, Breckenridge Hills, Chesterfield, and Ballwin.

For more information, email greenwaynetwork@gmail.com. To register online, visit http://www.greenwaynetwork.org/projects-issues/confluence-trash-bash.php.