Keep Rockland Beautiful partners with PAR Pharmaceutical’s to clean up Ramapo Children’s Park.
by Sara Fernandez
Keep Rockland Beautiful leads efforts to clean, protect, and beautify Rockland’s environment by educating and empowering people to share in the care and stewardship of our communities. They do this through offering environmental education programs for grades K-12 and offer 2 yearly cleanup campaigns in the spring and fall. The organization collaborates with community partners, including the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, the Sparkill & Minisceongo Creek Watershed Alliances, as well as various other groups to make a difference in Rockland’s most heavily littered areas.
This year’s fall campaign kicks off October 9th and runs until November 14th. The Fall Waterways Cleanup communicates the importance of clean waterways and natural resource-protection through its coined-phrase, “Clean Streets = Clean Streams.” They currently have 1 open cleanup scheduled on November 7th at Spring Valley Memorial Park and they are in the process of confirming an additional group cleanup at Bear Mountain; the planning is underway! If you are unable to attend these cleanups, you are welcome to register for your own independent cleanup any day/time of your choosing. Unsure where to start? Call the Keep Rockland Beautiful office and they’ll be happy to help!
Cleanup events demonstrate strong community bonds, and shine a light on our community partners who work to better the environment and their community. Volunteer Cleanup Leader Natalie Patasaw says, “Our churches are starting to recognize the importance of environmental stewardship–it’s fabulous! We travel from across the county to clean up because it makes a difference. Rockland County is finally starting to care for Rockland County!”
Registration is required to participate in any KRB fall cleanup event. To ensure the health and safety of all volunteers, mask wearing and social distancing rules will be implemented. For more information and to register, please visit www.keeprocklandbeautiful.org or contact Keep Rockland Beautiful via phone (845) 708-9164 or email cleanups@keeprocklandbeautiful.org.
Sara Fernandez is the Cleanup Coordinator at Keep Rockland Beautiful.
