Press Release
Over 50 4-H volunteers spent Oct 12th working with Keep Bartow Beautiful to beautify the banks of the Etowah during their annual ‘Rivers Alive Cleanup’ event. 4-H’ers collected 800 pounds of trash throughout a 10 mile stretch located at Riverside Park Day Use Area on a chilly morning during Fall Break.
Educating volunteers on the need for clean water and how to preserve natural resources were hosts Sherry Henshaw and Missy Phillips from Keep Bartow Beautiful and Allison Perkins, Paul Pugliese, and Alexis Roberts from the Bartow County Cooperative Extension Office. Teen leaders took the opportunity to educate their peers with mini classes including oversized darter fish, the water cycle and protecting local wildlife. Bartow 4-H teen leaders that participated were Amelia Payne, J.D. Paige, Jacob Paige, Leah Martin, Nora Martin, Ashton Brooks, and Malachi DeBroux.
All age groups were invited to participate in Bartow County 4-H Rivers Alive Cleanup. Those that participated received a t-shirt that has become a treasured wardrobe item for some 4-H’ers from past years. The shirts provide an excellent way to continue education regarding Rivers Alive Cleanup year round.
The focus of all 4-H programs is the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens through “hands-on” learning experiences. The activities of the program and the support of caring adult leaders provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth and appreciation for the environment. 4-H is part of the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. To obtain more information about the Bartow County 4-H Club, contact Allison Perkins or Kim Payne at the UGA Cooperative Extension Service at 770-387-5142.