October 2, 2021
In a year wracked with uncertainty, one thing was consistent – LITTER.
In our first annual Essex 3 Villages Source to Sea Cleanup, we strove to clean up litter to prevent toxic microplastics and microfibers from entering our waterways.
In a year of social isolation, economic upheaval, and environmental disaster, our community was craving a way to make a difference. Over 50 volunteers came together to make this event a success.
We needed community. We longed for social interactions with like-minded people (Outside! With Strangers!). We came as individuals and families, all sharing our dedication to preserving the Earth for future generations. We were inspired by what we could do in a short amount of time, while astonished by the scope of the litter problem and how much more there is to do.
What kind of legacy are we leaving behind? One of empty bottles, food wrappers, and cigarette butts? Or a beautified walkway and waterway thriving with native plants, animals, and fish?
Thank you, volunteers, for your help on this day, as well as our generous financial sponsors.
We collected over 200 Nips on Bushy Hill Road Ugh, so many alcohol bottles! Harrison and Jon with the most unique finds along Bushy Hill Road Kyle helped collect over 83 lbs of trash Tally from site I on Bushy Hill Road https://www.zip06.com/news/20210929/essex-to-hold-first-source-to-sea-cleanup-oct-2 Thanks EFD for letting us use your parking lot The first piece of trash from site A near Great Meadow Group C collected this haul along East Pond Meadow Road The first annual for Essex, but the CRC has been doing this 25 years! Congrats! Thanks to the Essex Land Trust for keeping your areas clean of trash! We couldn’t have done this without the help of the CRC We couldn’t have done this without the support of the CRC A unique find from site F at the Viney Hill parking lot Look at all this trash found along Main St in Centerbrook! Ready to get in the weeds at site H along Main St in Centerbrook Unique finds along Main St in Centerbrook Our co-Chair Mike Long makes opening remarks to the volunteers Waders necessary at Site D at Osage Trail and Foxboro Point Laura and volunteer with their haul from site D at Osage Trail and Foxboro Point Litter ultimately lands in the waterway, thanks for helping to get it out! More trash from site D at Osage Trail and Foxboro Point Laura and volunteer with their haul from site D at Osage Trail and Foxboro Point What better way to spend a beautiful Saturday morning than with your family and community? The team in the thick of it along River Road River Road is much cleaner thanks to this crew The team along River Road working together The River Road team lugging their trash haul Mark led this group to Nott Island The trash haul from the Nott Island cleanup crew! Final Haul from Site D led by Laura Final Haul from site I led by Katie Volunteers with their final haul with some large finds! Thanks to all our volunteers! Thanks to all our volunteers! Final Haul from site F/G led by Christine and Rick Final haul from site A led by Tanya Final Haul from Nott Island led by Mark So many recyclables! Thanks to our volunteers! What even are these? Thanks to our volunteers! The Connecticut River ew! Thanks to our Volunteers! Working together! Kelsey pulled all this out of the water! The haul from Main Street in Centerbrook, thanks Kalyn! Thanks Co-Chair Susan for sorting out the recyclables!