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Dateline: 9/16/2009

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY NEWS RELEASE
Dale Goodwin, Director
Peter Tormey, Associate Director

Students Help in Spokane River Clean-up Sept. 26
Gonzaga Outdoors, a Gonzaga University program for students, will take part in the 7th Annual Spokane River Clean-Up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26. The event, which is open to the public and GU faculty, staff and students, is run by Friends of the Falls, a nonprofit organization seeking to preserve the historic waterfalls and river gorge in downtown Spokane.
Last year, more than 800 volunteers took part in the River Clean-Up and collected more than 8 tons of debris, resulting in 2 tons being recycled. In addition to the Friends of the Falls group’s longstanding tradition of work in the Spokane River Gorge, a second location in the University District also is scheduled to be cleaned. In previous years, the River Clean-Up has been held in October.

However, this year it will take place on National Public Lands Day as a part of Sustainable September Spokane.
Other sponsors of the River Clean-Up include Burlington Northern, Avista, Wheelabrator Spokane, Spokane River Stewardship Partners, The Spokesman-Review/Down to Earth, and the City of Spokane, and Alt29 Design.

Check in for the Clean-Up will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 26. For the Spokane River Gorge site, volunteers will meet at High Bridge Park on W. Riverside Avenue, and A St. For the University District site, volunteers will meet at Avista Utilities located at 1411 E. Mission Ave. After volunteers have checked in and found their assigned team, trash clean-up will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon. From noon-3 p.m., judging for the "most interesting trash" competition will take place at High Bridge Park.

Volunteers are encouraged not to drive to their Clean-Up sites. Spokane Transit Authority (STA) will have buses running to and from both sites throughout the day.

Registration for this event is available online. More information about Friends of the Falls also may be found online. Gonzaga Outdoors may be reached at (509) 313-4189.
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