Living Lands & Waters is spearheading a cleanup effort of the Cedar River in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area.  Most of the debris came as a result of the recent floods that devastated the area.  We will be picking up a variety of debris—a huge mix of appliances, household goods, industrial materials, and just about anything else you can think of. 

We are looking for approximately 20-30 people a day to volunteer for each cleanup. We are hosting cleanups in two shifts—from 9am-noon and from 1pm-4pm.   Volunteers must be 18 years of age and very able-bodied.  If you have a group signing up, you will have the option to be a group leader, and sign up for yourself as well as the number of your group members.

Below you will find our cleanup schedule.  Feel free to sign up for more than one day.  We can use all the help we can get!

What will this cleanup entail?
The recent flood picked up a lot of debris and items floated down the river.  As the water receded, most of the debris was caught in the trees and logs that border the river.  All volunteers will arrive to the site, get fitted in a life jacket, go over all safety concerns/precautions, and board into a boat.  Boats will go out to predetermined sites in which volunteers will then get out of the boat and walk on land (and maybe in some shallow water) to gather the debris.  All debris will be put into piles to later be loaded into the boat and then unloaded at the garbage site for collection.  

Volunteers should expect to work hard, get hot and sweaty, pestered by mosquitos, dirty and muddy, but feel really rewarded that they assisted with such a worthy cause.

What do I need to bring?
-LUNCH and/or snacks
-Rain Jacket in case of rain
-Shoes that can get wet and muddy—steel toe work boots are best, rubber boots are great, and old tennis shoes are okay.  
-Long pants
-You may want to bring a spare set of clothes to leave in your car in case you get really dirty, muddy or wet and need to change before going home.
-Any allergy medications, particularly if you are highly allergic to bees, poison ivy, etc.
-A signed liability waiver

What will be provided?
-Bottled Water
-Gloves
-Trash bags
-Life jackets
-Sunscreen
-Bug Spray
-First Aid (if necessary)

Where do I go?
From the Quad Cities:
-Take I-80 West to I-380 North
-Take I-380 North to Route 151/HWY 30 East (Lincoln Freeway)
-Follow Route 151/HWY 30 East, to East Road SW.  NOTE:  There is not an exit ramp so the turn will sneak up on you quick.  East Road will be your first LEFT after the 254 Exit. 
-Take a LEFT onto East Road SW
-Take the next LEFT onto Union Drive SW 
-Follow to the end of Union.  Then take a RIGHT onto Ely Road SW.
-Take the FOURTH RIGHT onto Old River Road, going around any “Road Closed” signs or barricades. 
-Follow Old River Road, going past the dam, for about one mile, and look for our sign, trucks and boat trailers on the left.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
Feel free to contact Tammy Becker if you have any questions:

Tammy Becker
tammy@livinglandsandwaters.org
(309) 236-0725-CELL