News Release

Ozark National Scenic Riverways Hosting River Clean-Up April 7

Park cleanup activities on April 7 will focus on flood debris between Eminence and Two Rivers, and between Van Buren and Big Spring.

News Release Date: March 20, 2018

Contact: Cathy Runge, 573-323-4806

Van Buren, MO – Ozark National Scenic Riverways is hosting a river cleanup effort on April 7 with the Ozark Heritage Project. Following the historic flooding in 2017, we’ll be cleaning up flood debris that remains, focusing on heavily impacted areas near Eminence and Van Buren. Staff from Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Ozark Heritage Project, park concessioners, local chambers of commerce, area schools, youth groups, and volunteers will band together to tackle litter in the rivers and along the roads and accesses of the park.  

The river clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, April 7th. You can register from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day at the following sites:  Watercress Landing in Van Buren, Big Spring Boat Landing, Two Rivers Campground, and Joshua T. Chilton Memorial Landing in Eminence. The staff at the registration sites will provide trash bags and river bags for your convenience. Additional dumpsters and recycling trailers will also be available for trash disposal at Two Rivers and Big Spring. Participants are encouraged to bring work gloves, and to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the activity. Those who would prefer to clean up other areas of the park or river that day are welcome to do so, and can register in advance to get trash and river bags for the day by calling 573-323-4806.

The Ozark Heritage Project is sponsoring a Saturday evening meal and musical entertainment for all participants beginning at 5 p.m. at the Big Spring Pavilion at Big Spring. Music will be supplied by one of our very talented Missouri based bands. It will be a good time to enjoy friends, good music and lend a hand in cleaning up our rivers.  

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is committed to preserving the beautiful resources of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. We are excited for the opportunity to unite with local communities in stewardship.

For more information call Cathy Runge at 573-323-4806 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; visit the park’s Facebook page, or website at www.nps.gov/ozar or contact Rick Mansfield, of Ozark Heritage Project at 573-663-2269 or [e-mail]   

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.


About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees who care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.

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