SPRINGFIELD – Otsego County Conservation Association is seeking volunteers to help clean up a two-mile stretch of State Route 80 in Springfield on April 5, from 9 a.m. to noon.
OCCA adopted the portion of road in 2013 as part of New York State’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Volunteers will meet at OCCA’s office at Mohican Farm, at the corner of State Highway 80 and Allen Lake Road, and walk two miles south, collecting trash along the way. At that point, the group will cross the highway for the return journey. All in all, it should take about three hours, said Jeff O’Handley, OCCA’s program director.
“I expect we’ll find a large amount of trash that’s been covered up by the snow all winter,” O’Handley added. “Last year, we typically filled two bags with trash, and another with redeemable bottles, cans, and other recyclables.”
“Adopt-A-Highway represents an important part of OCCA’s mission to protect, preserve and enhance our environment,” O’Handley said. “It’s a hands-on way to beautify and care for our environment, and the results are immediately visible.”
Trash bags and safety equipment are provided by the New York State Department of Transportation, who administers the statewide program. OCCA will provide water and light refreshments.
To register, call O’Handley at (607) 282-4087, or e-mailprogramdirector@occainfo.org by Friday, April 4. The cleanup is open to those ages 12 and up.