Update: Due to recent heavy rainfall, the RiverwalkClean Up event planned for Saturday, April 20 has been postponed. A new date will be posted when information becomes available.

Ever walk by the same piece of trash day after day on your way to work? Now is your chance to make amends.

As Earth Day approaches, volunteers are invited to join members of the University of Iowa Engineering Staff Advisory Council (ESAC ) from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 20 to pick up trash on the banks of the Iowa River in Iowa City.

Brandon Barquist, chair of the river cleanup committee, says the project is part of ESAC’s commitment to community service.

“Many of us walk along the Iowa River almost every day in the course of a typical day," he says. "Taking care of the river is especially important to us, and we think this is one way we can try to make things a little better right here at home.”

Last year’s cleanup collected about 1,500 pounds of refuse, much of which was recycled.

ESAC will lead the effort to clean up the riverbanks from the pedestrian bridge near Hancher to the railroad bridge just north of Benton Street, along with partners such as UI Facilities Management, the Office of Sustainability, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Volunteers should meet in the parking lot just south of the Main Library (125 W. Washington St.) for registration and check-in at 8:30 a.m. Youth are welcome but must have parental supervision.

Members of ESAC are elected by their co-workers to represent all staff members in the College of Engineering. ESAC was established to facilitate communication within the college, represent staff to the administration, and promote staff involvement. Organizing service projects such as this one is also part of ESAC’s mission.