Skyline Parkway Clean-Up a success!

Jill Hinners, a MRC volunteer coordinator in Duluth, recently rolled up her sleeves to do some dirty work for the Skyline Parkway Clean-up. The event took place on April 23 as a part of Global Youth Service Day and she was kind enough to tell me more about it.

The Clean-Up involved nearly all MRC members in the northeast region who joined with the TrueNorth AmeriCorps. Hinners, who had participated in previous clean-up service projects in the past, fit right in with the service project.
The project was a collaboration between members and coordinators of TrueNorth AmeriCorps, the city of Duluth, the Green Corps and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In total, 178 volunteers participated. This also included student groups (5th grade and up) and community residents who joined in the effort. The American Lung Association also contributed some supplies while using the event to raise awareness of the pollution and wildlife hazards due to cigarette butts left on the side of the road. "In fact, we estimate that clean-up participants picked up more than 12,000 cigarette butts," Hinners said.

As for Hinners, the project was quite the experience. "It was so gratifying to participate," said Hinners. "Apparently the sections of the Parkway that we cleaned haven't been part of an organized clean-up in over a decade." And the volunteers picked up more than just cigarette butts. "We rolled tires up the hill; we dragged bundles of sodden newspaper (at least it's compostable!); someone found a gun safe (empty!); and someone found a very realistic artificial hand," Hinners explained. This was on top of lots of bottles, cans and fast food wrappers.

The clean-up was a learning experience for many. For the youth who just learned about Earth Day, it was an eye-opener seeing the adults take the environmental message and actually do the dirty work required to support it. "The event was a great example of how progress can be made when a large group of people attack a problem in an orderly and concentrated fashion," Hinners said.

All in all, 95 total garbage bags were picked up by volunteers and 25 total recycling bags. There is a great video of the event, the link posted below. Check it out, it's really inspiring!

http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/92170264.html