I love the state of Arkansas especially during the fall season when the leaves start to change color, it's time for a road trip and it's almost time for this year’s fall litter-pickup campaign which runs from Sept. 6 through Oct. 31. Thousands of Arkansans will volunteer to pick up litter along the state’s roadways and waterways during Keep Arkansas Beautiful Great Arkansas Cleanup.

Last year, more than 24,000 Arkansans picked up 415,320 pounds of litter from roughly 1,300 miles of roadway and shoreline. The volunteer effort provided the state and participating communities a cost-saving value estimated at more than $850,000.

The Great Arkansas Cleanup grew out of an effort that began more than 40 years ago as the Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Cleanup led by environmentalist Carl Garner. Until his death in July 2014, the “Father of Greers Ferry Lake” devoted his life to the mission of Keep Arkansas Beautiful's "Greeniversary."  This year’s Great Arkansas Cleanup is being held in his honor.

Once a community registers a Great Arkansas Cleanup event, Keep Arkansas Beautiful will help organize and publicize the effort. KAB can furnish local volunteers with cleanup materials and supplies, such as trash bags, gloves and safety vests. Other available promotional items and incentives include T-shirts and an opportunity to win a Troy-Bilt trimmer/blower.

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation and Keep America Beautiful Inc. sponsor the Great Arkansas Cleanup by providing needed cleanup supplies and support for GAC participants.

All Arkansas communities are encouraged to get involved in this annual cleanup effort. Those who would like to learn more about organizing a litter-pickup event in their community or to volunteer with a local event can visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com, facebook or call toll-free 888-742-8701.

Here's a special message from our Governor about the clean-up.

 

 

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