New Philadelphia, Ohio — Earth Day is April 22, and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is celebrating with an Earth Day Cleanup Challenge.

“The MWCD lakes provide a destination for millions in our region to enjoy outdoor recreation,” said Adria Bergeron, director of Marketing and Communications. “Keeping the water and shoreline clean is imperative for wildlife to thrive and the lakes beautiful. Earth Day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to care for nature and our environment and to engage with the community for their help. The MWCD Rangers and staff conduct cleanups year-round, not just on Earth Day. We are inviting the public to get involved by attending an organized cleanup to earn a free night of camping, or clean up on their own and enter to win a cooler full of goodies, as our way of saying thank you.”

Organized cleanups will be held at MWCD lakes on Friday at Atwood, Tappan and Seneca lakes. (Free camping coupons will be issued one per household.) The Cleanup Challenge is a great opportunity for groups to help with community projects and service. For groups wishing to participate, contact Ethan Zucal at 330-556-4814 or ezucal@mwcd.org. Cleanup details for each lake are available at MWCD.org.

If you are unable to attend an organized cleanup, walkers, hikers and boaters are encouraged to grab a pair of gloves and a trash bag to pick up litter between now and Sunday, April 23.

Post photos of your cleanup to an MWCD Facebook or Instagram page using #MWCDEarthDay2023 and be entered into a drawing to win a cooler filled with prizes and a gift certificate.