BAR HARBOR, MAINE – In the interest of community health and safety amidst a stubborn spring rise in COVID-19 cases here in Maine, Friends of Acadia will not hold a formal Earth Day Roadside Clean-up in 2021. The event typically brings together hundreds of volunteers working together to pick up litter that has accumulated over the winter on MDI’s and Trenton’s roadsides.

“We are disappointed not to be able to hold the event this year, but we thought it was best to be cautious in order to keep our volunteers safe,” said Stephanie Clement, Conservation Director.

Clement suggests that if individuals choose to pick up roadside litter on their own this spring, they should take safety precautions, such as dressing in bright clothing for traffic visibility, wearing gloves, walking facing traffic, and leaving behind any unsafe trash such as needles. Clement added that because there is no formal event this year, there will not be roadside trash bag collection. Anyone picking up litter should dispose of their trash bags as they would normally take care of their household waste.

Friends of Acadia plans to spearhead this community tradition again on April 30, 2022.