News Release

Project E.A.G.L.E. volunteers needed

For immediate release: April 21, 2008
Contact: Gary Morse, 863-648-3206

Project E.A.G.L.E. is celebrating its 15th anniversary.  This environmental cleanup of lakes in the Winter Haven area will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to noon, and volunteers are needed.

All participants will receive a free T-shirt with the famous Project E.A.G.L.E. logo adorning the front side.  Volunteers will stage at Lake Shipp Park where environmental displays will also be featured.  Texas Cattle Company will provide lunch to all volunteers at Lake Shipp Park, when the event concludes at noon.

E.A.G.L.E. is an acronym for Enhancing A Great Living Environment.  Last year, volunteers removed more than 4,000 pounds of trash and discarded tires from area lakes.  Sponsors hope for an even-greater turnout for one of the most successful community-driven projects of its kind.

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 either walk the perimeters of the lakes or bring their boats.

Six staging areas and collection sites have been established in Winter Haven and Lakeland for the cleanup.  Volunteers can sign up at Lake Shipp on County Road 655; Lake Howard on N.E. Lake Howard Drive or at South Lake Howard Nature Park; Lake Cannon on 26th Street N.W.; Lake Summit; and Lake Hartridge on Havendale Boulevard.

"What makes Project E.A.G.L.E. 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.

Locally, Project E.A.G.L.E. is sponsored by the FWC, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Keep Winter Haven Clean and Beautiful, Winter Haven - The Chain of Lakes City, Lakeland Clean and Beautiful, Keep Polk County Beautiful, Polk County Clean and Green, Get Reel, the Lakes Education/Action Drive, Keep America Beautiful and the Kissimmee River Valley Sportsmen's Association.

Area business sponsors include Texas Cattlemen Company, Wilson Printing and Old Man Franks 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 volunteer, contact Keep Winter Haven Clean and Beautiful at 863-291-5662 or the FWC at 863-648‑3200 during regular business hours.