Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuge Vice President and Outreach Chair Poppy Benson collects litter from the side of the highway at the refuge in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, April 30, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuge Vice President and Outreach Chair Poppy Benson collects litter from the side of the highway at the refuge in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, April 30, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Spring cleanups sweep across area

Events are taking place this month

The central peninsula is turning green again, and with the change in seasons come local cleanup events.

The Kenai River Sportfishing Association will host its kids Kenai River cleanup event this Thursday and Friday. According to a Facebook post by the association, last year elementary students cleaned up more than 1,860 pounds of trash from along the river.

The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce is providing cleanup materials for people who want to pick up trash independently on their own time. People are encouraged to pick up yellow cleanup bags at the center and take them to the landfill or a transfer station. For more information or questions, call 907-262-9814.

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is hosting its green up refuge cleanup this week. People are encouraged to pick their teams and choose one to two hours to volunteer either this Friday or Saturday. Participants will be eligible to win prizes, and are encouraged to post on social media with the hashtag #refugecleanup. Call 907-260-2820 to sign up for a slot on Friday or Saturday.

Kenai Parks and Recreation and the Kenai Chamber of Commerce are also hosting a cleanup day at the green strip on May 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. People can pick up trash bags and a city map at the site to collect refuse. Lunch and beverages will be provided after the event.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

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