We have one thing here on the Western side of the county, its the Delaware River and its incredible views. The border river runs all the way between New York and Pennsylvania, and along its winding corridors leaves visitors and residents with a sense of tranquility and serenity. 

But those feelings can easily be disturbed by litter sprinkled here and there, often visible from the road. It is a cancer on our ecosystem and our way of life, and it isn’t just along the river, but all over Sullivan County. From Rockland to Neversink, down through Forestburgh and South Fallsburg and beyond, some just can’t seem to help themselves but make their garbage someone else’s issue. 

However, thankfully, all is not lost when a crumpled can hits the ground, because our community has some of the most passionate, active and attentive litter pluckers who will give up so much of their own time and energy to keep it clean.

These people are often the unsung heroes – everyone notices when there is trash, no one notices when it is gone. Maybe we take our surrounding natural beauty for granted, but that only highlights the work of those who take action that much more when we stop to think about it.

It is not just cans that litter pluckers retrieve and properly dispose of. Sometimes it’s tires, electronics, tattered blankets, and other extremely obstructive trash that can be dangerous to the wildlife and even drivers. These larger items are often the target of litter pluckers, and we are grateful for their keen eyes and attentive hands.

If you are interested in lending a helping hand and joining the vast community of people who care, please consider joining in on the various litter sweeps happening soon, like the Upper Delaware River Council’s 4th Annual Litter Sweep, taking place from April 20-28. 

Your hand can have a turn at shaping our environment to be healthier and happier for the people and the animals who proudly call the entire region’s ecosystem as part of their home.