Everyone wants to be outside on a beautiful spring day. Why not do some good for the environment while you’re at it?

The DNR is urging Hoosiers to join the St. Joseph River cleanup sponsored by Elkhart EnviroCorps on Saturday, June 18. Volunteers will meet at Island Park in Elkhart at 9 a.m. to clean up a 3.5-mile stretch of the St. Joseph River, and will be bused back to the Island Park starting point at 4 p.m.

"This cleanup is part of the statewide Adopt-A-River Program, through which participants adopt a segment of a river or stream to cleanup at least twice a year," said Kyle Hupfer, DNR director.

Hupfer added that more than 280,000 pounds of debris have been removed from Indiana’s waterways since Adopt-A-River was initiated in 1998, thanks to 75 adopting groups and about 5,000 participants.

Volunteers will work from canoes and on the riverbanks, collecting trash and litter. No canoe experience is necessary, although canoe owners are encouraged to bring their canoes. All participants should dress appropriately for the weather and should expect to get wet.

Lunch and entertainment will be provided at the Sherman Street Bridge, and each volunteer will receive a giveaway item.

Volunteers are strongly encouraged (but not required) to register. To register or for more information, contact Meagen "Gem" Thompson at 574-293-2572.

EnviroCorps is an AmeriCorps National Service program.