CWU Students Face A Lot of Litter at the 35th Annual Yakima River Clean Up

October 4, 2007

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-Central Washington University students are getting ready for a busy day Saturday as they tackle a project that's been around for 35 years. A collaborative effort between Central students and community members, the annual Yakima River Clean Up brings volunteers together who will collect more than two tons of trash in just a few hours along the Yakima River.

For the volunteers taking part in the annual event, it's about much more than knowing they simply picked up some trash, its knowing they helped make an impact on the environment and their community. They also get an opportunity to meet new friends and explore one of the most popular recreational activities the area has to offer, the Yakima River. Most importantly, 35 years after it first began, the main focus of this worthwhile project continues to be the idea of bringing CWU students together with community members to make a difference.

On Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 8 a.m., more than 150 volunteers will gather on the east patio of the Student Union and Recreation Center for registration, assignments and a hearty breakfast.

Along with walking alongside the river and picking up trash, more than two dozen volunteers will collect trash floating in the water by floating the river in rafts provided by the university and picking up trash along the way.

Upon their return to Central, Yakima River Clean Up volunteers will be treated to a free lunch. Prizes will be awarded for the most trash collected, most interesting piece of trash collected and the most enthusiastic volunteer

For more information, call 509-963-1643, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD 509-963-2143.

Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations and Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state.