Environmental Good Turn Day set for September 17

Lovers of the outdoors can give back to nature by participating in Environmental Good Turn Day, an event wherein people volunteer to help clean up their favorite outdoors spots.

Brown County State Park will host a cleanup for Environmental Good Turn Day on September 17, starting at the park nature center at 9 a.m. Projects will be meted out to groups, with the more rigorous tasks going to older participants.

"We can put the cubs to work, too," assured Jim Eagleman, park interpretive naturalist. "They can walk our two lake trails with trash bags to retrieve pop cans, fishing line and bait containers." He urged individual volunteers, Scouts and conservation club members to participate in Environmental Good Turn Day, which this year coincides with National Public Lands Day.

The day concludes with prizes and recognition at 3 p.m. at the nature center.

The Scout slogan to "do a good turn daily" provided the impetus for Environmental Good Turn Day, from which many parks, preserves and forests benefit every year.

"Public lands are numerous and diverse in southern Indiana, and they are wonderful sites for canoeing, campouts, hikes and outdoor adventures," said Eagleman. "Of course, these activities are much more enjoyable when the property has been cleaned up. At Brown County, we’re fortunate to have many troops and packs not only use our property responsibly, but also show up to help with the cleaning on Environmental Good Turn Day."

Participants should bring lunch, plenty of water, work gloves and wear appropriate work clothing.

For more information on this or any interpretive program at Brown County State Park, call 812-988-5240.