Outdoors: Q-Tip -- Volunteers needed

Sept. 15 is the date set aside for the annual clean up of the Carson River, east of Carson City.

The event is being jointly sponsored by the Carson City Kiwanis Club and the Carson City Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management.

It is planned as part of the National Trails Day celebration, being held all over the United States on Sept. 29.

There is a need for many volunteers for this special clean up event. Interested civic groups, organizations, clubs, businesses, school classes and individuals who would like to volunteer to assist in a variety of conservation activities are encouraged to attend and participate.

All volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

The clean up will be held from 8 a.m. until noon.

Then at noon, the sponsors will provide a free lunch of barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda pops, etc. for all of the volunteer workers.

Anyone attending is requested to wear work clothing, work shoes or boots, hat, to have work gloves and to carry plenty of drinking water.

Volunteer check-in and registration will begin at 8 a.m., on the east side of the Carson River, just south of Carson River Park, along the Mexican Dam Road. There is no registration fee.

Work projects for the morning will include:

-- Planting of 2,000 willow tree seedlings along the river banks.

-- Placing boulders along the River Path Trail and other riparian areas to prevent vehicle entry.

-- Cleaning and repairing of more than 39 Wood Duck nesting boxes, located along the river.

-- Painting buildings at the BLM Silver Saddle Ranch on the west side of the river.

-- Removing litter from the river bed and its banks.

-- Improving hiking trails to the Pine Nut Mountains and at the Prison Hill Recreation Area.

In addition, non-physical activities will include such things as interpretive tours of the Silver Saddle Ranch, and conservation related exhibits.

To pre-register, call Chris Miller at the BLM Carson City Field Office at 885-6000 during regular hours.

Remember that date: Sept. 15.

Why not donate several hours of your time and effort to make the Carson River a little bit better place for everyone.

For information, call the BLM Carson City Field Office at 885-6000 during regular hours.