Please join CJST for our first cleanup in Warren County as we partner with The Nature Conservancy and local groups on a watershed wide cleanup of the Paulinskill River.  CJST will be focusing on the former lakebed of Columbia Lake which was exposed several months ago as part of the Columbia Dam removal project.  It's been underwater for over 100 years so the lakebed is loaded with tires and other trash!  Some volunteers will be wading in to the river to pull out trash from the channel.  If you would like to go in the water, please bring tall boots or waders, or wear some old sneakers that can get wet and dirty! (But remember it will be late October!)  Of course there is plenty of opportunity to clean along the banks and on the lakebed for those who don't want to go in the water.  We will also need help moving the junk from the river and lakebed to the disposal area.  We hope that many of our regular volunteers will make the trip and we expect to welcome many new volunteers!

The event begins at 10:00 AM and will end around 1:00 PM.  We will meet at the former boat launch within the Columbia Wildlife Management Area.  Use 11 Warrington Road, Columbia, NJ as the closest address (if coming from Route 80, it is the first right about 300 ft beyond the truss bridge).  Look for the Columbia WMA sign and follow the gravel drive to the end.  Look for the CJST truck and trailer.  You will be directed to park along the side of the gravel road so that other vehicles can pass.  Join us for sign up, instructions and safety and enjoy some breakfast on us! 

Please note that registration/RSVP is important so that we know what kind and how many supplies to bring and get a headcount for breakfast.  This is especially true if you are bringing a larger group.  The organizers are going to get t-shirts made so prompt registration will give us an accurate headcount.  There may be a separate webpage created by the organizers for registration.  We will keep you posted.

Volunteer Instructions:

1.  Bring along your family and friends! It's going to be a really fun and great day! The more junk we find the more rewarding the experience!

2. Wear sturdy footwear and clothing you don't mind getting dirty or wet!  Bring waders if you have them and want to get in the water.  And dress for the weather!

We will provide garbage bags, work gloves, tools, and water for volunteers.

So please come on out and help the river! We look forward to restoring this small piece of the Paulinskill River watershed with you!

Please contact Jens Riedel at jens.riedel@cjstreamteam.org or 908 240-1346 if you have questions or if you plan on bringing a larger group.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has."...Margaret Mead