The Peru Gazette

Peru Gazette 2020 photo

Peru Gazette 2020 photo

The Ausable River Association (AsRA), in partnership with Adirondack River Rentals, Casella Waste Systems, and One Tree Planted, is hosting their annual Ausable River Cleanup Friday, September 17 in Peru, NY. The cleanup is open to all community members and visitors who want to volunteer their time to help enhance and protect the health of the Ausable River.

AsRA’s staff will work with Adirondack River Rentals to remove trash in and along the banks of the Ausable River near Carpenter’s Flats. “We hosted this cleanup last year at this location, which was a great success, and there is still more work to be done,” says Carrianne Pershyn, AsRA’s Biodiversity Research Manager. Casella Waste Systems has volunteered to remove all the trash and tires collected from the cleanup. One of AsRA’s newer partners, One Tree Planted, will also enhance the event with supplies and other cleanup supports.

Participants are encouraged to provide their own boats, and Adirondack River Rentals will offer canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards to those who need them. Bags and gloves will also be provided, though volunteers can also bring their own. All applicable COVID-19 precautions will be observed during the event. The day will be broken down into two shifts to allow for easier participation: 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Household members are encouraged to come together and share a canoe.

The Ausable River faces many challenges including climate change, road salt, invasive species, undersized culverts, and bank erosion. Cleanup participants will be improving the health of the river, allowing it to better manage these challenges. “We’re so pleased to work with our many dedicated watershed residents and visitors to clean up a popular stretch of the Ausable River,” says Liz Metzger, AsRA’s River Steward.

The cleanup will begin at Adirondack River Rentals at 3004 US 9, Peru, NY at 9:00am or 1:00pm depending on the shift. For more information and to sign up, please email events@ausableriver.org and indicate which shift you would prefer.