LITTLE ROCK -- Southwest Arkansans can get involved in statewide beautification efforts this fall through the Great Arkansas Cleanup.
The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission's annual fall cleanup will kick off on Sept. 10 and run until Oct. 31. The commission encourages residents across the state to register their own cleanup event or volunteer with one near them.
Cleanups have already been scheduled in Little River, Howard and Hempstead counties.
"By teaming with Keep Arkansas Beautiful, this gives us a chance to work with the community to ensure safe waterways and grounds in litter cleanup," said Taylr Rad, who is coordinating a cleanup for Millwood State Park in Little River County.
The cleanup times for each county are --
Little River County:
• Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to noon at Cossatot River State Park
• Oct. 22, 8:30 a.m. to noon on Main Street in downtown Foreman, Ark.
Hempstead County:
• Sept. 17 , 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Historic Washington State Park
Howard County:
• Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to noon at Millwood State Park Visitor Center.
"Historic Washington State Park is a unique museum village that highlights the 19th century story of Washington's people as well as its architecture, while stressing the preservation process," said Billy Nations, coordinator for Hempstead County's cleanup. "Lending a hand in keeping it beautiful definitely supports our mission."
During the GAC, thousands of Arkansans volunteer to get involved with statewide beautification efforts and improve their communities by removing trash and discarded debris from Arkansas's roadways, shorelines, parks and other public areas.
"It is that time of year again for Arkansans to get involved in our annual fall cleanup," KAB executive director Colbie Jones said. "As the Natural State, litter is a serious threat to our state's resources and offerings. We are challenging individuals in all of our counties to take responsibility and get involved in litter prevention and recycling efforts by joining a local cleanup near them."
Individuals and groups are invited to sign up to organize a local cleanup at bit.ly/KABSignUp. Cleanup organizers can use KAB's print-ready promotional items to help recruit volunteers and learn how to organize a cleanup. Cleanup supplies including disposable gloves, cotton gloves, and fluorescent safety vests are also available through KAB. Resources are available at bit.ly/KABClean.
In 2021, 13,637 Arkansans volunteered to improve their communities by removing 386 tons of litter during 473 cleanup events, double the amount of cleanup events held last year during the GAC and KAB's annual spring cleanup, the Great American Cleanup in Arkansas.
Volunteers can find and join local cleanups by visiting the calendar of events at http://bit.ly/KABevnt.
For more information, visit keeparkansasbeautiful.com/get-involved/cleanups.