With Earth Day just around the corner, it makes you think of the ways our natural resources—like parks, beaches and rivers— make our community a more vibrant and nurturing place to live. As we enjoy kayaking down the Arroyo Colorado or wade in the surf at Boca Chica Beach, it is vital to remember the responsibility we have to our local environment for all the memories and joy it gives us.
Each April 22, Earthday.org picks a theme to highlight the change and action communities, businesses and individuals need to take for Earth Day. For 2022, that theme is “Invest In Our Planet”.
In that theme for Saturday, April 23, RGV Fishing Area and Waterway Cleanups, South Texas Paddlers and I Love Laredo have jointly organized a cleanup of the waterway at Low Water Bridge on Cemetery Road in San Benito.
From 8 to 11 a.m., volunteers can come out and help clean up any trash or debris along the riverbank or use their kayaks to search the waters of the Arroyo Colorado for any hard-to-reach litter.
South Texas Paddlers with be leading the water cleanup with their kayak team and, for a short time, will provide the kayaks for volunteers to enjoy the river after the event.
The organizers will also provide water, snacks and, as a fun incentive raffling off prizes for volunteers. RGV Fishing Area and Waterway Cleanups founder Richard Hitchcox said there is a wide variety of items, from fishing reels and fishing trips to ceviche plates for volunteers to have a chance to take home after a long day’s work.
“We do it to say thank you and as an incentive to get people out,” Hitchcox said.
Hitchcox recommends that volunteers wear close-toed shoes and long pants—he’ll have bug spray, sunblock and face masks on hand for volunteers to use as needed.
For more information, visit the Earth Day – Low Water Bridge Cleanup event page on Facebook.
