“Friends of the Brandywine” are sponsoring a first annual river clean up to be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 7. The Brandywine Conservancy is also sponsoring a tree planting in the Laurels Reserve October 14.

Volunteers should meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lots behind the Downingtown Borough Hall and follow signs to the cleanup. Workers should bring work gloves, boots, pry bars, rakes, hip waders, heavy ropes and friends. Gloves, trash bags, trucks, and refreshments will be supplied.

Organizers hope to make this an annual event by involving the community, local businesses, watershed and environmental organizations, municipalities and schools in an education-based event that inspires awareness and watershed stewardship throughout the year.

The growing list of partners Includes: Kimberton Whole Foods Brandywine Conservancy Brandywine Trout & Conservation Club Downingtown Borough Honeybrook Township Chester County Sierra Club Committee UEB Conservation Plan Committee Chester County Conservation District Lanchester Landfill – Chester County Solid Waste Authority Friends of the Brandywine.

For more information on the cleanup, contact Robert Lonsdorf, Brandywine Conservancy, at RLonsdorf@brandywine.org .

On October 14, plant a tree in the Laurels Reserve with the Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy, their families and friends. Participant fee includes the cost of trees and lunch. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 610-388-8315.

9/15/2006