8th Annual Pecatonica River Clean-Up

Online, July 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The largest conservation effort in Northern Illinois will be taking place next weekend in Freeport. The United Sportsmen's Youth Foundation, along with the Rock Hollow Conservation Club, will hold its 8th annual Pecatonica River Clean-Up Saturday, July 30 from 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday, July 31, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. On Saturday the festivities will include a fund-raising banquet will a silent auction, raffles and live music.

Volunteers are needed on the 30th to collect trash not only from the river, but also the shoreline and the nearby prairie path. Service clubs and individuals are encouraged to assist in the clean-up. A cook-out for all volunteers will follow clean-up. This year there is expected to be over 100 volunteers out on the river, removing several truck-loads of debris, bottles, plastic and more out of the Pecatonica River. The goal of the annual event is to teach children that their actions have a direct impact on the delicate environment.

The United Sportsmen's Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to purchase large tracts of habitat, provide and preserve multi-use habitat for children, teach children that personal involvement can positively impact wildlife and habitat, and work to unite sportsmen, agriculture and communities. Donations are accepted. Are goals include, but are not limited to:

1. Purchase 40-Acre or larger blocks of habitat that adjoin sensitive wetlands or large tracts of farm land. Also, high on USYF's priority list is land near schools and large cities in the path of urban sprawl. We would use such land to provide access for multi-use outdoor sports including youth education, agriculture, and wildlife management.

2. Develop more USYF committees and chapters in other areas of the country, particularly in areas where kids have dwindling access to multi-use habitat. We want to give kids a "hands on" chance to learn about the outdoors.

To register or for more information, call (815) 599-5690 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information please visit us at www.usyf.org

Interviews can be arranged with volunteers and the Foundations director Brendan Walsh. Exclusive preview interviews will be offered on Saturday night during the silent auction. If interested in arranging an exclusive please call (815) 599-5690.