Eric Goodwin wants paddlers like us to get involved in Maine’s biggest river trash collection, planned for the Androscoggin next week. The scope of the project is daunting: 102 miles from the Maine-New Hampshire border to tidewater in Brunswick. It will include 20 different sections along the shores of 21 different towns. The cleanup will require approximately 300 people and 140 boats. The biggest push is planned for Aug. 13-14.

Paddlers getting involved: Cleaning up the Nezinscot River last year
Both photos courtesy Communities Getting Involved

Eric’s the head honcho of Communities Getting Involved, a Turner-based non-profit that is organizing the effort. The organization has spearheaded several recent cleanups in the past two years and plans to expand greatly this summer.

To date, Communities Getting Involved has run two cleanups on the Nezinscot River, an important tributary of the Androscoggin. In 2003 and 2004 volunteers pulled 4,200 pounds of tires from the Nezinscot -- plus several washing machines, stoves and “major parts of vehicles.”

A small navy of volunteer paddlers is needed for next week's cleanup of 102 miles of the Androscoggin River.

Although Eric envisions a broader scope for his group, river cleanups are its genesis and remain a high priority. “We try to do what our name says -- which is getting community members involved in things going on in their community,” explains Eric. “We have a special forte in river cleanups.”

To get involved, visit Eric’s website or call 577-0948 (cellphone) or 235-2591 (voicemail).

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