By: Hannah Moore
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – “Pick Up Where You Play” is a two-month initiative in the Northwest Arkansas region to collectively clean up litter in impacted areas. It started in 2020 as a way to continue litter cleanup during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, while staying socially distanced. Nearly a dozen community partners organize the events, and anyone can sign up as a volunteer.
The Lake Fayetteville cleanup has two events throughout the year to aid in the high volume of litter in its waterways. The fall cleanup was held on Sept. 6 where volunteers met in vulnerable impact spots around the lake.
- The Ozark Natural Science Center – general volunteers on foot and entrance spot for volunteers in canoes or kayaks.
- The Marina – Fayetteville’s youth rowing club and any volunteer borrowing a kayak or canoe.
- Veterans Parks – a local company Karcher’s check in site for the west side of the lake.
Volunteers from the University of Arkansas’ Volunteer Action Center joined the initiative at the Ozark Natural Science Center to specifically alleviate litter from the shorelines.
“We’re here today with the Volunteer Action Center,” the Service Engagement Chair Sarah Waller said. “All of us are helping clean up the shoreline to get down and dirty to help keep Fayetteville clean.”
The Volunteer Action Center is a resource for students to engage in the Fayetteville community to provide service work. Students on the shoreline were provided with mud boots, gloves, and pick-up supplies to pick up as much litter as possible.
Trash is a problem if not disposed of properly, and can create unwanted litter in the environment. Litter usually occurs unintentionally and can be found in all shapes and sizes from small cigarette butts to plastic items. Specifically at the Lake Fayetteville cleanup, litter primarily found on foot included plastic, cans, and even bulky items like a water toy. The primary focus of “Pick Up Where You Play” is to protect sources of water in the Ozark region, and is encouraged for all community members to participate in.
“Its a group lift, and helps all of us,” City of Fayetteville Volunteer Coordinator Kristina Jones said. “Fayetteville really benefits from that because we see so many people coming out.”
Jones asks the community to always carry a trash bag on hand because litter starts on roads and highways. To prevent the ongoing litter cycle, stopping litter on land is the first step to success. If litter is not stopped on land, it can be difficult to reach once it’s in a water source.
“One of the things we hear a lot is “I didn’t realize how much litter was out here”,” Jones said. “When you start looking, you start seeing it more on the surface.”
Over the next month of October, there are 8 more events in and around the Northwest Arkansas region. Last fall, about 597 volunteers participated in the efforts to clean impacted areas. Every cleanup destination may be different, but all volunteers who participate get a chance to win 3 prizes donated by “Pick Up Where You Play’s” sponsors.
Prizes include:
- WOKA – two all-float passes on the Illinois River
- OAR – four free single kayak rentals or two free tandem rentals on the War Eagle River that flows into Beaver Lake
- Gracie’s Canoe – two-night cabin stay and float pass for four on the Elk River
