Community-wide Earth Day GreenUp set for March 24
The Woodlands Township is hosting an Earth Day GreenUp, a Great American Cleanup event, on Saturday, March 24. For the eighth consecutive year, the community is participating in the nationwide stewardship project.
Zoe Killian, environmental education specialist with The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department, said 500 volunteers have already preregistered.
“It’s great because I believe everybody feels good after cleaning our community. It gives everyone a sense of community, a sense of camaraderie to come together and take responsibility for their space,” she said.
Neighborhoods, clubs, scouts, church groups, schools, families and individuals are invited to join in the cleanup effort that targets litter on pathways, waterways and natural areas. Pre-registration has closed but walk-up registration is available at a designated park in each village. All participants will receive gloves, trash bags, instructions and an assigned pick-up area at check-in.
Registration is from 8-10 a.m. and the GreenUp begins at 8:30 a.m. in the following parks and villages:
Alden Bridge: Alden Bridge Park, 7725 Alden Bridge Drive Cochran’s Crossing: Shadowbend Park, 4995 Lake Woodlands Drive
College Park: Harper’s Landing Park, 2 N. Blair Bridge Drive Creekside Park: Rob Fleming Aquatic Center, 6535 Creekside Forest Drive Grogan’s Mill: Sawmill Park, 2200 Millpark Drive Indian Springs: Falconwing Park, 5610 Rush Haven Drive Panther Creek: Ridgewood Park, 4192 Interfaith Way
Sterling Ridge: Cranebrook Park, 11800 Cranebrook Drive
Killian added that the clean up covers more than just parks and is set in March to help clear out litter before it gets buried in the underbrush.
“We choose March because it’s a great time to hunt for the litter before the vegetation grows out,” she said. “It’s parks, waterways. We really focus on the green belts because The Woodlands has lots of trees and when the leaves fall litter quickly gets covered throughout the year and it adds up.”
Volunteers should be prepared for cleanup by wearing appropriate clothing long pants and closed-toe shoes/boot are recommended. Participants are encouraged to use hats, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a reusable water bottle as well.
Following the clean up, volunteers are invited to the community-wide party at Northshore Park from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Waste Management will have trash receptacles at the celebration where people can deposit the litter they picked up. The party will feature environmental education booths, children’s activities, free face painting and live music including the Buck Yeager Band as the headliner. GreenUp volunteers also will receive a free T-shirt and slice of pizza. The general public is invited to the celebration but must purchase food items.
For more information, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment or call The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800.