23rd Annual Mulberry River Clean Up Day

[Brad Wimberly]

The 23rd annual edition of the Mulberry River Clean Up Day was the largest yet. Almost 200 volunteers spread out over the Mulberry Valley on foot, ATV, trucks, and canoes. Within four hours the Mulberry was clean from Wolf Pen to Milton Ford, about 25 miles. Volunteers also cleaned the shuttle roads from Oark to Shores Lake (30 miles), and all the access points in between. Participation was so strong that workers also cleaned Hwy 23 from Fly Gap to the Mulberry Valley, along with portions of White Rock Mountain road and Morgan Mountain Road. Two large trailers provided by the Forest Service were filled once again. The core group of locals and Arkansas Canoe Club members was supplemented by students from the NWACC, the University of the Ozarks, and the Cecil Youth Shelter. The hearty workers reconvened at Turner Bend after their efforts for the first meeting of the nascent Mulberry River Society. The MRS is a non-profit organization with stated goals of keeping the Mulberry River clean, monitoring the water quality of the river, and having fun. Then after a bar b q lunch provided by Steve Outlaw and Turner Bend the participants gathered around for the much anticipated door prize drawing.
The ranks of the litterbugs far outnumber those willing to clean up after them, but with the newly formed Mulberry River Society and the energy displayed by this year’s volunteers the Mulberry River looks to be in good hands.

[maggiepowell]

The clean up was a great time. Tons of participants, good food, and even door prizes. I was lucky enough to win a grab bag with a hat, sticker, and a shot glass.

Thanks to everyone who came out and to Brad for putting on such a great event.

Mags