BETHLEHEM, Pa. — City environmentalists are calling for volunteers to help clean up litter April 8 around Monocacy Creek.
- Volunteers are needed to clean up the Monocacy Creek
- The clean-up is scheduled for April 8
- An increase in park visitors during the pandemic has also garnered an increase in trash
“Removing trash from the park allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors and receive the physical and mental health benefits of being out in nature,” said Lynn Rothman, chair of the city’s Environmental Advisory Council. “It is also important for the safety of the many birds and aquatic life in and along the stream to remove trash, such as plastic bags.
The Monocacy Creek is a gem in Bethlehem City, classified as Class A Wild Trout Waters, and all are encouraged to take part in the clean-up to preserve its beauty.Lynn Rothman, chair of Bethlehem's Environmental Advisory Council
“The Monocacy Creek is a gem in Bethlehem City, classified as Class A Wild Trout Waters, and all are encouraged to take part in the clean-up to preserve its beauty.”
The clean-up, led by the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association and the city’s EAC, is slated to run from noon to 2:30 p.m. April 8. Volunteers are meeting at the Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road.
The MCWA has been hosting spring and fall stream clean-ups since 2015, according to a news release from the organization. Between 2,000 and 2,500 lbs. of garbage was collected at last year’s event.
“Since the pandemic started, the number of folks using our parks and trails has increased markedly, as has the litter left behind,” said Jose DeJesus, vice president of MCWA. “The places we all love deserve better care and respect.”
The increase in visitors to state parks during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was sharp, rising 22%, from 37 million in 2019 to more than 45.3 million in 2020, according to the state Department of Conservation. While visitor statistics have leveled off in recent years, residents’ interest in spending time outdoors has continued.
In addition to the MCWA and the city EAC, other event sponsors include the city police department, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, Stitch Fix of Lehigh Valley, Trout Unlimited Monocacy Chapter, Rotary Club of Bethlehem Morning Star, ADP and Guardian Life.
