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EPA, Earth Conservation Corps, Promote A Litter-Free Anacostia River

Release Date: 04/03/2007
Contact Information: Terri White white.terri-a@epa.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 2 2007) – Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) launched a month-long anti-litter campaign that will feature posters on Metro buses and in Metro Rail stations. Designed by ECC, the posters seek to educate and enlist the public in helping to restore the health and vitality of the Anacostia River by encouraging commuters not to litter.
“Everyone has a role in restoring and protecting the Anacostia watershed. Clean streets and green parks will lead to a healthier, litter-free river in the nation’s capital,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA’s assistant administrator for Water.

Each year, volunteer groups in the D.C. area organize clean-up events to collect tons of trash from the Anacostia River, which runs through Washington, D.C.

In early 2006, EPA partnered with ECC, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit youth development and environmental service organization, to launch an anti-litter campaign poster contest for ECC members. As part of the contest, teams of ECC members were asked to design posters focused on curbing littering among neighbors and users of the Anacostia River.

The winning poster was designed by ECC members Ricardo Moore, Latrice Shorts, Katrina Washington, Daryl Wallace and Hollis Wright. Its message states: “An Anacostia River That’s Clean Doesn’t Have to Be a Dream.” Throughout April, the poster will be displayed on the exterior of 20 Metro buses, inside 200 Metro buses, and displayed in five Metro stations, including L’Enfant Plaza, Anacostia, Stadium-Armory, Tenleytown-American University and Farragut West Metro stops.

Founded in 1989, the ECC provides professional development and environmental training to disadvantaged young people ages 17 to 25 from the Washington Metro area. It motivates these youth to be leaders, engaging communities in education and service focused on restoring the Anacostia River.
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