River cleanup and paddle event draws conservation enthusiasts

Dozens of river conservation enthusiasts gathered July 12 for a 4-mile kayak and canoe trip on the Tuscarawas River, combining outdoor recreation with environmental stewardship.

The event, held in Bolivar, welcomed participants of all ages who helped collect trash from the river during the paddle. Following the cleanup, attendees had a picnic and a talk by James “Opa” Carnahan, founder of Riverkeepers Ohio.

Carnahan shared the mission behind Riverkeepers, an organization he founded to tackle pollution in local waterways. “We are showing by example that individuals can make effective change,” he said. “We are more about stopping the trash than just cleaning it up.”

Riverkeepers Ohio has partnered with cities and agencies including Akron, Norton, Summit Metro Parks, the Summit Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Ohio Erie Canalway Coalition. Together, they have removed more than six tons of trash from Ohio’s rivers over the past two years.

“Water is the heart and soul of everything,” Carnahan said.

The event was organized by Laura Sirot, a candidate for state Senate, in conjunction with Riverkeepers Ohio. Among the attendees was Mark Keene, a father of young children, who praised Sirot’s focus on environmental issues.

“It’s great to see a candidate concerned about the environment,” Keene said. “A thousand years from now, it’s the only thing that’s going to matter.”

Visit www.sirotforohio.org and www.riverkeepersohio.com/.