By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

With Earth Day falling on a Monday in 2024, some cleanups are being planned for the Saturday after Earth Day, instead of the Saturday nearest to Earth Day. 

For example, a person won’t want to show up outside the Bridgton Community Center to pick up trash this weekend. Instead, wait until next Saturday, April 27, to focus on beautifying the garden.

Also, on April 27, the Casco-Naples Earth Day Organization will be holding its annual cleanup, starting at the American Legion Post No. 155. So, there is still time to register for that two-town cleanup.

Certainly, nobody will get fined for picking up trash this coming Saturday. Be aware that many community cleanups are scheduled for later in the month.

However, Harrison residents will be tackling the trash in their hometown this Saturday.

Crystal Lake Park is the place to go to get trash bags if you live in Harrison.

“Volunteers check in with me at the park to get provided trash bags and gloves and pick their route. When they are finished, they return for free lunch and music,” according to cleanup coordinator Pamela Sessions. “This event is neighbors working together to help the community that they live in and love. It is good for the soul and for Mother Nature.”

Another reason to get involved: Other people are doing it! A large group number of people usually show up for the annual cleanup that has been a tradition for almost a decade.

“We have 75 to 125 volunteers join us each year. They pick a route and clean up trash with their family/friends and leave the trash bags on the side of the road for our business volunteers to transport to the transfer station,” Sessions said.

She illustrated how the community cleanup was all hands-on deck.

“The Harrison Transfer Station accepts the trash free of charge for our event,” she said. “Bennett Property Services, LLC, Nathan Sessions and Sessions Property Services, and PLC Excavation will drive the routes this year and pick up the bagged trash.”

Nine years ago, AM Enterprises, LLC started Harrison Earth Day Cleanup.

“In 2023, the owners passed the reins of planning on to me since they sold their company,” she said, adding the owners still support the cleanup through sponsorship. “Sponsors cover the costs of feeding 100 volunteers. Vanessa Jones is donating her musical talents.”

The music and food have been a part of the cleanup since the beginning, she said. It is another chance to part of the community and visit friends and eat together, Sessions added.

“Many hands go into making this a success,” Sessions said.

She challenged people who call Harrison home to help remove trash from the town’s roadsides.

Below is a listing of the Earth Day events taking place in the region. 

BRIDGTON

• Earth Day hike up Bald Pate Mountain, hosted by Loon Echo Land Trust, takes place Monday, April 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the trailhead parking area. Don’t forget water. Bring a lunch or snacks for the hike, if you’d like. 

• Earth Day Public Garden Cleanup takes place Saturday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. People interested in helping to prepare the garden beds for spring, please show up at the Community Center Gardens and seek direction from volunteers. This event is sponsored by the Bridgton Community Center. For more info, please contact the center, 647-3116.

CASCO and NAPLES

Casco-Naples Earth Day Organization hosts Earth Day cleanup on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cleanup starts at the American Legion Post No. 155 parking lot. Following the cleanup, there will be a barbecue lunch inside the legion. People can sign up through Eventbrite or go to www.townofnaples.org/earthday to register so organizers can have a headcount for food.

HARRISON

The Ninth Annual Harrison Earth Day Community Cleanup will be held this Saturday. Starting at 10 a.m., people can go to Crystal Lake Park to pick up trash bags and gloves. People can pick a route at that time, too. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition to free food, there will be live music with Vanessa Jones. It is helpful to have a headcount for lunch. Folks can register by going to the web address, hearttohomeandcommunity.org

LOVELL

On Monday, from 10 a.m. to noon, people can dedicate their morning to helping out Mother Earth. Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) will host the cleanup, which will include picking up trash and debris in Lovell Village and prepping the pollinator garden for planting. Volunteers should meet at the GLLT office, 208 Main Street. Please call GLLT (207) 925-1056 to register beforehand.

OXFORD HILLS

The Oxford Hills River Guardian Cleanup happens this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to form or join a River Guardian cleanup team for this event. The objective is to help keep toxic plastics out of the region’s rivers and waterways. To learn more about this event and others around the state, go to events@maineriverguardians.org.

SWEDEN

On Friday, starting at 10 a.m., the Sweden Conservation Commission members will host an Earth Day Cleanup. Volunteers meet at the Sweden Fire Station on Route 93, just past the Four Corners. Trash bags will be provided as well as a few reflective vests and grabbers. Please bring your own gloves. For more information, please email Miriam via her address mirigib@live.com