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Project EAGLE volunteers needed
April 23, 2007
Contact: Gary Morse, (863) 648-3200
Project EAGLE, an environmental cleanup of lakes
in the Winter Haven area and one of the most successful
community-driven projects of its kind, is approaching its 14th
anniversary. Volunteers are needed on Sat., April 28, from 8
a.m. to noon to help in this year’s effort. All participants
will receive a free T-shirt with the famous Project EAGLE logo
adorning the front. Texas Cattle Co. will provide lunch at Lake
Shipp Park.
“What makes Project EAGLE successful are the
more than 400 volunteers who participate annually in this
cleanup effort,” said Gary Morse, public information coordinator
for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s
(FWC) Southwest Region.
EAGLE stands for Enhancing A Great Living
Environment. Last year volunteers removed more than 4,500 pounds
of trash and 651 discarded tires from area lakes. This year,
sponsors hope for an even greater turnout.
Volunteers should bring gloves and a net or pike
pole for removing trash; however sponsors will provide gloves
and trash bags to those who do not have them. Volunteers can
walk the perimeters of lakes or bring their boats.
Seven staging areas and collection sites have
been established in Winter Haven and Lakeland for the cleanup.
Volunteers can sign up at Lake Shipp on CR 655, Lake Howard on
NE Lake Howard Dr. or at South Lake Howard Nature Park, Lake
Cannon on 26th St. NW, Lake Summit, Lake Hartridge on Havendale
Boulevard, or Lake Parker in Lakeland on U.S. Highway 92 at
Sertoma Park.
Locally, Project EAGLE is sponsored by the FWC,
Keep Winter Haven Clean and Beautiful, Get Reel, Winter Haven
The Chain of Lakes City, Lakeland Clean and Beautiful, Keep Polk
County Beautiful and the Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman
Association. Area business sponsors include Wilson Printing,
Texas Cattle Co. and Old Man Frank’s Restaurant. These sponsors
and various local clubs and businesses contribute substantial
amounts of supplies, services and cash to ensure the success of
the project.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer,
contact Keep Winter Haven Clean and Beautiful at (863) 291-5662,
Lakeland Clean and Beautiful at (863) 834-3306 or the FWC at
(863) 648 3206 during regular business hours. |
