Relying heavily on community volunteer teams, cleanup efforts at Shawnee State Park and Forest will take place from March 23-28 as the park conducts a Spring Cleanup.

Helping hands are needed for this worthwhile project, which provides interesting and rewarding volunteer opportunities for individuals, couples, schools, families, corporations, citizen groups and service organizations.

As trash is picked up, the event will also serve as a tool to educate the public on proper trash-disposal methods, what items can be recycled and how to start a recycling center in your home, office, church or club. Volunteers will learn why litter is harmful to the environment, why recycling is important and how they can encourage others of all ages to recycle and not litter.

Many are already involved, including Lawrence-Scioto Recycling and Litter Prevention, Xanterra at Shawnee State Park Lodge, Friends of Shawnee State Park, Scioto County Clean Team, Friends of Scioto Brush Creek, Boy Scouts of America, OSU Extension, Scioto County 4-H, AmeriCorps VISTA and Shawnee State University, Shawnee Nature Club, Scioto County Ohio Horseman's Council, Scioto County Court workers, North Country Trail Association, LIFE Ambulance, Nile Township Trustees, Adams Brown Recycling, Adams and Scioto County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, West Portsmouth IGA, David and JoEllen Mays and Pepsi Cola Bottling Company.

The idea for the cleanup started last year with a brainstorming session by park officials who decided to call all clubs, troops, businesses or friends to assist in helping pick up trash along trails and roadways throughout the park. As they started making calls, the response was overwhelmingly positive as the Boy Scouts put a call-out for help in their newsletter and the Scioto County 4-H Extension office advertised the event in its newsletter, too.

Volunteers play a vital role in sustaining the treasure that is Shawnee State Park and Forest, so we encourage you to give Park Naturalist Jenny Richards a call and sign up for this year's cleanup. She can be reached at (740) 858-6652 or e-mail her at Jenny.Richards@dnr.state.oh.us.

Signup sheets are available at the Shawnee State Park office, 4404 Ohio 125, West Portsmouth.