River Clean Up on the Pearl
This year we are teaming up with the Honey Island Conservation Program to help host the 5th annual “River Clean Up on the Pearl”
The Honey Island Conservation was formed by a group of local Pearl River residents after the 2011 Fish Kill. Residents were shocked and terribly scared for their rivers future when Temple-Inland, a paper mill in Bogalusa, dumped what is known as Black Liquor into the river killing an estimated 2 million fish and mussels, including the endangered Gulf Sturgeon.
The Pearl River is over 400 miles long starting in northern Mississippi and eventually splitting into two rivers on it’s southern most course, the East Pearl and the West Pearl. In 2015 American Rivers listed the Pearl as one of the top 10 most endangered rivers in the US. This is due to the possibility of a second dam purposed to be built in Northern Mississippi restricting the freshwater flow into the Gulf of Mexico and allowing more salt water into the mouth of the Pearl.
Our clean up efforts will be focused on the West Pearl near the Honey Island Swamp where healthy bayous and swamps currently exist. We will be cleaning by kayak, canoe, and motorboat in hopes to preserve these beautiful waterways and help educate volunteers and the community of the importance of maintaining healthy wetlands.
We encourage volunteers to bring their own boats, especially those with motorboats, as this will allow us to clean a larger area. If you do not have your own boat we will be providing kayaks and canoes upon reservation.
This event will be held September 17th, 2016 from 9 am – 2pm with free food and live music provided to all participants. We ask volunteers to arrive at the launch, 65583 Pump Slough Rd. Pearl River, La. 70452, 15 minutes early to sign in for the event and receive your participation wristband, retrieve all gear necessary, and go over safety precautions.
Sponsors for the event will be providing garbage bags, cold water, and recycling.
If you would like to make a reservation for the event online, you can do so or call Jessica Gauley at 985-290-0002.