Photos courtesy of Lauren Segreto.

by Lauren Segreto

On November 6, 2011, Rutgers University’s NJPIRG Students Chapters, the Water Watch Campaign, and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) hosted a street clean-up of the College Avenue campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It hosted about 250 volunteers, including several well known speakers who spoke about the importance of preserving our fresh water supply.

We had food donated from generous stores such as the East Brunswick Shoprite, Milltown Acme, Pathmark, Milltown Bagel, East Brunswick Starbucks, Spotswood Shoprite, Milltown Dunkin Donuts, and 3 East Brunswick Dunkin’ Donuts; all  of whom we show great appreciation.

The reason why we hosted this event was to show everyone just how much people care about their water in New Brunswick. We wanted to clean the streets of all of the garbage and debris so that it does not enter our waterways and begin to pollute them. Due to the fact that the hydraulic fracturing decision is currently still up for debate, we wanted the people who do care about their environment and water to be visible. Thanks to all of our members and volunteers we were able to complete our goal.

This upcoming Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm, Alan Godber of the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership will be hosting another street clean-up at Borough Hall, 39 Washington Ave. in Milltown, New Jersey. Given that he attended our clean-up, the volunteers and interns at NJPIRG are going to attend. It is open to anyone who would like to help and show support.

If you would like any more information about the clean-up or other events, feel free to glance at the website – www.LBWP.org.