JOHNSTON COUNTY – The Friends of Johnston County Parks is hosting their fourth annual countywide clean up in honor of Earth Day. The event is a coordinated, county-wide litter clean up scheduled for Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The group is working with local parks and recreation departments as well as county partners, in addition to NCDOT as part of the North Carolina Litter Sweep program. Friends is organizing and promoting the event, with clean ups happening all across Johnston County. Past participating partners have included Clayton, Smithfield, Archer Lodge, Selma, Flower Hill Preserve, Bentonville Battlefield, and Neuse River Community Group. Towns and organizations participating in 2024 will be announced soon.
Registration is required to participate in the event by clicking on this link. You can select a preferred geographic area of JoCo you’d like to work in as a volunteer on the form. Once the Friends group has confirmed participating towns and sites, participants will be matched to their preferred area. In addition, Friends board members will also be leading clean up efforts at a few unincorporated areas. Bags, gloves, and safety vests may be provided at each location as available, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own if they have them.
“We’re excited to be hosting our fourth Earth Day County-wide Cleanup, which presents a great opportunity to get outside and make a positive difference. Last year more than 270 volunteers across the county cleaned up 7,100 pounds of litter, and we look forward to again working with volunteers and community partners across our beautiful county,” said Jessica Meadows Rich, the event organizer and Vice President of Friends of Johnston County Parks, “Our parks, greenways, and open spaces are important assets and resources for the residents of Johnston County. Earth Day is the perfect time to give back and do our part to help keep them clean and free from litter for everyone’s enjoyment.”
The Friends of Johnston County Parks is a 501(c)3 organization with a volunteer board advocating in support of parks, open space, the arts, and recreational opportunities on behalf of all Johnston County citizens and visitors. The group’s four strategic priorities are advocacy, education, recreation, and stewardship.
