Public Works solicits volunteer cleanup crews

More than a dozen cleanup activities around the county are scheduled for September and October.

By: Cheryl Chumley | Inside NoVA
Published: September 02, 2009

More than a dozen cleanup activities around the county are scheduled for September and October, and officials with the Prince William Public Works Department are seeking citizen volunteers to fill the shoes of cleaning crew.

“Public Works will lead a local initiative to encourage citizen action and participation in projects to protect the environment,” according to a written brief from the county. “Citizens are encouraged to volunteer in local efforts to pick up litter, spruce up public lands, introduce children to nature and conserve natural resources.”

Fall Into Action events are scheduled for different spots in the county every weekend between Sept. 12 and Oct. 24. More information is available by e-mailing Deb Oliver with Public Works at doliver@pwcgov.org.

A selection of what’s coming: Virginia Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a plant sale at the Teaching Garden on Linton Hall Road on Sept. 12.

Also set for that date is the National Park Service’s Heritage Festival at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle. On Sept. 26, the NPS will host Public Lands Day, also at Prince William Forest Park.

On Oct. 3, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will sponsor an outdoor education event at Occoquan’s Bay Refuge. On Oct. 10, the local 4-H club will sponsor a project day on birds and habitats at the Prince William Fairgrounds. And on three days in late October — 17, 23 and 24 — the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy will hold a Halloween safari through the mountains.

“Along with the volunteer action opportunities, Public Works is sponsoring a meeting for the BIG LEEP — the Businesses, Individuals, Groups as Local Environmental Education Partners,” according to the county’s release. “The meeting … features discussion about volunteer opportunities, needs in the community, a special speaker to talk about citizen action and an opportunity to share your concerns for our local environment.”

That meeting is open to the public and set for Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers in the McCoart Administrative Building.

Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.