CRESCO - The Upper Iowa River has a few admirers and for the fourth year in a row, this beautiful, limestone cliff-lined river will attract a small army of volunteers for a fall cleanup.

The Upper Iowa River Cleanup will take place Saturday, Sept. 24. Working to preserve and protect the river's natural beauty, volunteers will spend a day canoeing the water between Kendallville and Bluffton, collecting trash as they go.

Last year, 75 volunteers retrieved roughly 1,300 pounds of garbage. The program has been growing every year since it attracted roughly 20 volunteers during its first outing. Organizers expect at least 100 volunteers this year.

"I think it's important to keep the river as clean as possible," said Deb Keefe, program creator and owner/operator of Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground. "I just want to try and preserve it."

In order to ensure a canoe and meals, interested parties must pre-register with Keefe at 877-787-2267 or keefe@earthlink.net. As in previous years, cleanup participants will receive free camping both Friday and Saturday evenings and free canoe use on Saturday. Organizers will provide breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

The program will also include a potluck dinner Saturday night. Participants should bring a meal item and reusable dinnerware. Local businesses will also be donating prizes for a drawing that evening - anyone interested in donating should contact Richard Kittelson (see below).

This year, organizers plan to offer two shorter (three hour) and two longer (five hour) floating options. Improving upon last year's program, organizers will place signs along the route and position support staff at every pick-up and drop-off point.

Representatives from various sponsoring natural resources groups (including the Iowa DNR, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) will give short educational presentations Saturday evening.

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