GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla – The Keep America Beautiful® Great American Cleanup® is the nation’s largest community improvement program, which takes place annually at an estimated 15,000 community events nationwide. The 2021 Great American Cleanup® St. Johns River Celebration will be a month-long event this year beginning February 20, which is the Keep Florida Beautiful Day of Service, through March 20, 2021. Individuals, families, or small groups can organize their own cleanup activities throughout the month and avoid a single large gathering on a specific cleanup day.

To register your clean up event, email Tania.jolley@claycountygov.com with the Department of Environmental Services and provide the date, number of volunteers expected, and the location, whether it’s a school, church campus, nature trail, bike trail, park, or waterway. Participants can pick up safety vests, trash collection data cards, and large plastic bags at the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility located at 3545 Rosemary Hill Road in Green Cove Springs. Additional items you may need for a cleanup day include a rake or trash stick, dip nets, sunscreen, work gloves, and your boat or canoe. Be sure to wear old clothes and protective footwear. Students can receive community service hours to meet scholarship requirements as long as they have registered and turn in the provided documentation and photos. For details visit https://kab.org/programs/great-american-cleanup/ .

Keep Clay Beautiful - The Great American Cleanup® may only be a month long but Keeping Clay County Beautiful continues year-round. Keep Clay Beautiful invites you to show your community pride by adopting a mile or spot in Clay County to help remove litter along county roads or at parks. Local businesses, organizations, or individuals who are interested in litter collection along roadways, roadside parks, county boat ramps, county parks, or trails should contact the Clay County Department of Environmental Services at (904) 269-6374 or (352) 473-3711 and inquire about the Adopt a Mile/ Spot Program. Participating groups or individuals will sign a two-year contract specifying the cleanup location, number of collection days, and collection procedures. Supplies and safety gear will be provided. Participating youths must be at least 12 years of age and the group shall provide at least one adult supervisor for each five youths between the ages of 12-17 who are participating in the litter removal activity.

Clay County Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners Mike Cella said, “Litter along Clay County’s roadways, sidewalks, greenways and waterways portrays an unhealthy picture of the community and can be detrimental to animals and the environment. Litter collection activities are a great way for people to take pride in their community and protect our natural resources.” Learn more about the Adopt a Mile/Spot Program here: https://www.claycountygov.com/community/garbage-and-recycling/keep-clay-beautiful.