Elms students and faculty with the Division of Natural Sciences, Math and Technology on Sept. 26, paired up with the Connecticut River Conservancy for its annual Source to Sea Cleanup. Volunteers spent hours along a section of the river near the Chicopee boat ramp removing assorted trash and litter, old tires, and at least 1 volleyball.
The Source to Sea event each year takes place along the length of the Connecticut River from Vermont to the Long Island Sound, and involves dozens of groups and hundreds of volunteers. It was Elms’ first time participating in the event.
Young people “want to help keep the river clean, protect wildlife, and enhance recreational opportunities, contributing to a healthier and more beautiful environment for everyone.”
Dr. Nina Theis, co-chair of the Elms’ Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology
Biology professor Dr. Nina Theis, co-chair of the Elms’ Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology, said Elms joined the clean-up effort because the Connecticut River and Elms College share the same community of Chicopee. The effort was of great interest within the Division of Natural Sciences, Math and Technology, she said, because young people want “to help keep the river clean, protect wildlife, and enhance recreational opportunities, contributing to a healthier and more beautiful environment for everyone.”
This effort removed more than 200 pounds of trash from the riverbanks and water!
The final tally shows an estimated 825 pieces of trash of varying shapes and sizes, including three tires and some heavy metal rods. The total haul was enough to fill about 20 trash bags.