Two events next month are looking for people who are willing to help out when it comes to helping keep Isabella County a greener place.
The Union Township Community Taskforce on Sustainability and the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy are both hosting events that both focus on cleaning up the environment around different parts of Mt. Pleasant.
The Union Township event will take place at Central Michigan University at Lot 63 on June 9 from 8 a.m. to noon.
“We’re going to help recycle electronic waste, scrap metal, and other unwanted items in the corner of the garage,” Board Liaison to the Sustainability Committee Phil Mikus said at the last Union Township Board of Trustees meeting.
The committee is looking to find more volunteers for the event. Mikus said those interested should call the Union Township office during normal business hours.
The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s event on June 10 will focus on cleaning up waste found in the Chippewa River. The conservancy is teaming up with Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes to get a group of 40 people together into the river to partake in the event.
Jon Breithaupt, executive director of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, said this is an evolution of an event that started during his time at Central Michigan University as a part of the Student Environmental Alliance.
Only 40 people are allowed to participate in the clean-up to due to the availability of resources from Buckley’s.
“We have people go in to the river and pick up waste from the river,” Breithaupt said, “We’re not using tools, you just need your hands and a willingness to get wet.”
He also said that around 10 people have already registered to participate. More are expected to register as the event draws closer.
Those interested in volunteering for either event can call Union Township at 989-772-4600 or the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy at (989) 772-5777. Registration for the river clean-up is also available online.