Local nonprofits help clean up Cobbossee Watershed

Children and their parents from Marcia Buker School in Richmond joined hands to pick up their local swimming spot, Peacock Beach, celebrating the end of their vacation and their care of the planet on Earth Day. Front from left are Sawyer Gagne, Jaemesyn Jackson, Lucas Tribbet, Xander Weymouth and Josua Jackson. Back from left are Ella Brown, Keira Letendre, Lukas O’Brien, Quinn McFarland, Tristan Gagne and Sydney Spear. Submitted photo

In celebration of Earth Day, nine community nonprofits teamed up April 22 to clean up the 217-square-mile Cobbossee Watershed.

More than 100 volunteers donated 350 hours to make the streams, ponds, lakes and river sparkle. A total of 1,103 pounds of trash were pulled from local waters, according to a news release from Tina Wood with Upstream.

Kymm O’ Brien, left, and Mandy Letendre helped clean up Cobbossee Watershed during Earth Day, April 22. Submitted photo

Volunteers noticed that after six years of picking up trash from 22 sites, the amount of debris has been reduced.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Kennebec Vvalley focused on the streets near the club as part of their dynamic Day of Caring. Gardiner Maine Street’s 22 volunteers enjoyed a sunny pick up at Gardiner Waterfront Park and throughout the downtown area.

Gardiner Democratic Committee pooled its resources and tackled the banks of the mighty Kennebec River. Kennebec Land Trust, with a large coalition from Central Maine Power and Kennebec Land Trust members, gathered around properties in Litchfield and Richmond.