Ninth Annual National River Cleanup Week Scheduled for June 3 - 10, 2000

Knoxville, TN - National River Cleanup Week moves from the traditional May dates to June 3 - 10, 2000 to support the Rivers 2000 celebration scheduled for June 2000. Each year National River Cleanup Week promotes the importance of keeping rivers and streams clean and encourages cleanups of local waterways. In 1999 more than 30,000 volunteers took part in the cleanup experience helps communities focus attention on neglected waterways and stimulates cleanups of blighted areas. Civic clubs, businesses, paddlesports enthusiasts, fishing groups, outfitters and conservation groups join together in many areas to organize and execute cleanups of their selected streams.

"Diverse groups often work together and that's one of the most rewarding aspects of a stream cleanup," said David Brown, Executive Director of America Outdoors. America Outdoors coordinates National River Cleanup Week by assisting local groups with information on how to conduct a successful river cleanup. Groups that register their cleanups with America Outdoors are also eligible to receive free trash bags if their cleanups fall during the specified week. America Outdoors also provides educational materials and safety tips on conducting cleanups of waterways. A video on How To Conduct and Organize a River Cleanup, narrated by former CBS News White House correspondent Bob Pierpoint, is available for $9.95.

For more information please contact the America Outdoors office, by phone at 423-558-3595, or email at amoutdoors@aol.com.

National River Cleanup Week - National Coordinator: America Outdoors
Agency Support: Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service
Associate National Coordinators:
American Rivers, American Whitewater Affiliation, Professional Paddlesports Association, American Canoe Association

America Outdoors, News Release PO Box 10847, Knoxville TN 37939 T:865-558-3595 F:865-558-3598 E-mail:amoutdoors@aol.com Web Site: http://www.americaoutdoors.org