Home > News Bytes > DRBC Cares for Its Communities: Another Successful Palmyra Cove Cleanup
DRBC Cares for Its Communities: Another Successful Palmyra Cove Cleanup
DRBC and N.J. District 7 legislative volunteers pose for a photo in front of Palmyra Cove's peregrine falcon mural after a successful cleanup. Photo by DRBC. 
DRBC and N.J. District 7 legislative volunteers pose for a
photo in front of Palmyra Cove's peregrine falcon mural
after a successful cleanup. Photo by DRBC. 

While the main efforts of DRBC staff are focused on managing and protecting the shared interstate waters of the Delaware River Basin, they also care about helping out in our local communities. Last week, DRBC staff volunteered their time to clean up a portion of the Delaware River shoreline in Palmyra Cove Nature Park, a 250-acre park located at base of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge (on the N.J. side).

In addition to its tidal river shoreline, Palmyra Cove Nature Park features a freshwater tidal cove, wetlands, woodlands, and meadows and is popular for hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. It also features the Institute for Earth Observations, an interactive STEM exhibit that allows for adults and kids alike to explore the Planet Earth.

This is the third time that commission staff have volunteered at Palmyra Cove. This year they were joined by legislative staffers David Smith and Carolyn Cover from Sen. Troy Singleton's office and Gina Sullivan and an intern from Asm. Herb Conaway, Jr.'s office, both of whom represent N.J. Legislative District 7, which is home to Palmyra Cove.

This year, staff focused on cleaning up the south end of the park, near the tidal cove and the confluence of the Pennsauken Creek and the Delaware River. Because the park is urban, located just north of Philadelphia and Camden, copious amounts of trash float in with the tide. As such, there was no lack of "bounty," and the DRBC volunteers collected numerous bags of trash and recyclables (glass and plastic bottles and cans), as well as a couple of tires. Besides being an eyesore, removing trash from in and around waterways is important, as it helps improve water quality and habitat.

Participating DRBC and District 7 legislative staff fully embraced the experience, not minding one bit getting their hands and feet dirty to help improve the Delaware River.

Most importantly, this effort was a stark reminder of the importance of disposing of all trash and recycling properly so we can keep our rivers, streams, and shorelines clean.

 
The Delaware River facing south from Palmyra Cove, with the Betsy Ross Bridge in the background. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's Fanghui Chen picks up trash that has collected on the shoreline with incoming tides. Photo by DRBC.(From L to R) DRBC's Kate Schmidt, Karen Reavy, and Mike Thompson collect trash from the shoreline of the Pennsauken Creek, near where it enters the Delaware River. Photo by DRBC.We saw several egrets and ducks while we were doing the cleanup. We are sure they appreciated our efforts! Photo by DRBC.Staff collect a tire and other trash from the far shoreline of the Pennsauken Creek, near its confluence with the Delaware River. Photo by DRBC.We get in there! DRBC's Lulin Zhong (back turned) and Elaine Panuccio get in the reeds to pick up trash. Photo by DRBC.The Pennsauken Creek, just before it enters the Delaware River. Photo by DRBC.
DRBC's Donna Woolf collects trash near the Delaware River shoreline. Photo by DRBC.(From L to R) DRBC's SeungAh Byun and Lulin Zhong are all smiles during a quick break from trash cleanup. Photo by DRBC.(From L to R) DRBC's Mike Thompson and Jake Bransky collect trash from the Pennsauken Creek shoreline. The Delaware River is in the background. Photo by DRBC.Even while surrounded by raindrops on a dreary day, these aquatic flowers shine bright. Photo by DRBC.We saw several egrets and ducks while we were doing the cleanup. We are sure they appreciated our efforts! Photo by DRBC.A panorama of the area DRBC and N.J. District 7 legislative staff focused their cleanup efforts on. Photo by DRBC.(From L to R) Even among the raindrops, DRBC staffers SeungAh Byun, Fanghui Chen, Karen Reavy, and Chad Pindar are all smiles as they stand with just a small bit of the bounty we cleaned up. Photo by DRBC.