News

Earth Day cleanup yields lots of volunteers — and lots of trash

Environmental, Sound Rivers

Posted on April 28th, 2022

Sound Rivers’ Field Technician Will Shingleton steers the kayak down the Tar River, pre-trash pickup, during the Earth Day cleanup.

Celebrating Earth Day this year, Sound Rivers’ Field Technician Will Shingleton joined Pirates on the Water and the East Carolina University ECO-Pirates for an April 23 cleanup on the Tar River. Approximately 50 volunteers gathered at Town Commons in Greenville to take to the Tar in kayaks and canoes, collecting about 15 large bags of trash on their way to the take-out point at Port Terminal (where Sound Rivers recently installed a kayak launch). Will said highlights of the trash-finding expedition were a lawn chair, a charcoal grill and fishing rigs stuck in tree branches—all collected from the river or its banks.

Kayaks and canoes were provided by ECU Adventure Center, Knee Deep Adventures, and Riverside Recreation.

Related News

RED FLAGS: Rocky Mount rezoning points to data center April 16th 2026
CAFO CONCERNS: Riverkeeper attends DEQ stakeholders meeting April 16th 2026
Eno River sites join Sound Rivers Swim Guide April 16th 2026
Greens Mill Run gives up 52 pounds of trash April 16th 2026
Pig Pickin' nets $2,500 gift to Sound Rivers April 16th 2026
Clean-water win for Slocum Creek April 9th 2026