As the snow begins to melt across the Mohawk Valley, more than just the signs of spring are becoming visible — a growing amount of litter left behind over the winter months is now exposed, marring the natural beauty of our communities. This litter often accumulates in roadways, waterways and storm drains, increasing flooding and harming wildlife. Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful, a local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and committee of Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Inc., is calling on residents to help with a seasonal clean-up initiative aimed at removing the litter and restoring the landscape.

“With the warmer weather and snow melt, we are seeing a significant uptick in litter along roadways, parks, and trails,” said Stephen Smith, Director of Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful. “This is the time of year when we can take action and prevent the waste from accumulating further. Our mission is to encourage everyone in the region to take part in keeping the Mohawk Valley clean, beautiful, and safe for all.”

This year, our spring clean up kick-off events will have local leaders discuss how litter impacts their communities, and a litter clean up will take place immediately following the speaking event. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to participate. In addition to picking up litter, Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful will be handing out free supplies for residents to go on to do more cleanups throughout the spring in their local neighborhoods, parks and community spaces.

Our events are scheduled as follows:

March 29th: 1:00pm at Muller Plaza (Oneonta, NY)

Clean up to follow in downtown area, maps will be provided.

April 8th: 9:30am at the Fort Herkimer Church (Mohawk, NY)

Clean up to follow at the German Flatts Town Park.

April 10th: 9:30am at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery in Allen House (Johnstown, NY)

Clean up to follow on campus.

Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful encourages everyone to be part of the solution to combat litter and support a cleaner, healthier environment. For more information on how to participate in the clean-up event or to donate to the cause, visit mvedd.org/kmvb or contact info@mvedd.org.

About Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful: Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful is a community-driven organization dedicated to eliminating litter, improving public spaces, and fostering environmental stewardship. Through clean-up events, educational programs, and partnerships, we work to enhance the quality of life for residents across the Mohawk Valley region.

Picking up litter provides a range of benefits that go far beyond simply improving the appearance of the region. These benefits extend to the environment, the economy, and the mental well-being of residents:

· Environmental Impact: Removing litter from public spaces helps protect local wildlife and ecosystems. Litter can pose serious risks to animals who may ingest or become entangled in trash. By cleaning up, we prevent pollutants from entering our waterways and reduce the impact of plastic waste on local fauna. Additionally, a cleaner environment encourages biodiversity, making the region a more vibrant place for plants, animals, and people alike.

· Economic Benefits: A clean environment is an attractive one, both for residents and visitors. Communities with less litter tend to see a rise in property values, increased tourism, and enhanced local pride. Moreover, municipalities spend millions of dollars each year on litter cleanup efforts. By participating in clean-up events, volunteers help reduce the financial burden on local governments and free up resources for other community improvements.

· Mental Well-Being: Research has shown that the state of our environment directly affects our mental and emotional health. A clean, well-maintained community can help foster a sense of pride and connection among residents, boosting overall well-being. By taking part in clean-up efforts, volunteers also experience the satisfaction of contributing to the greater good and making a visible, positive impact on their surroundings. A cleaner neighborhood promotes a greater sense of calm and reduces stress, creating a more pleasant environment for all.

“When the community comes together to clean up litter, it strengthens the bond between residents and improves the quality of life for everyone involved,” said Stephen Smith. “Not only does it make our streets, parks, and neighborhoods more beautiful, but it creates a healthier, more connected place to live.”

For more information, or to report a site that needs to be cleaned or rehabilitated, email us at info@mvedd.org. You may also follow KMVB on Facebook (Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful – KMVB) for additional information. To donate funding or materials, register your team, or access our sponsorship package, visit www.mvedd.org/kmvb