Over 400 people have registered early to help clean up Middletown on Earth Day, April 20.  According to Jeff Michel, Executive Director of Keep Middletown Beautiful, “There is enough trash for everybody.”  22 of the 31 parks in Middletown have been targeted for cleaning, planting, mulching and other maintenance work on Earth Day as well as several other areas. 

Several groups and individuals will converge on Smith Park to help with the work.  Smith Park has been designated as the park to receive a major overhaul in 2013.

Educational activities at Miami University Middletown from 10 am to 2:30 pm and hazardous waste recycling drop-off at Middletown High School from 9 am to 2 pm will be held on Breiel Blvd.

For those who wish to be involved, stop by Miami University Middletown and join a work crew, drop off old prescriptions for disposal, join one of the free classes or enjoy the WNKU live broadcast.

Scheduled speakers:

10 am.    Red Alert: Alien Plant Invasion, Dr Keith Gilland from Ohio University
10:30      Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program, Dr Avi Eitam from USDA-APHIS
11:00      Feeding & Sheltering your Feathered Friends, Monica Brubaker from Wild Birds Unlimited, Springboro
11:30      Ohio Spiders and Other Creepy Crawlies, Dr Alan Cady from Miami University
Noon      Backyard Wildlife – Friends or Foes? Anthony Wolfsong from Wildlife Solutions
12:30      Fungi and Other Plant Pests, Dr Jenise Bauman from Miami University
1:00        Meet our Native Reptiles & Amphibians, Cindy Stark from Arrowhead Reptile Rescue
1:30        Birding for Children of All Ages, Barb Reuss, Naturalist from Bull’s Run Arboretum
2:00        Proper Pruning Techniques, Jeff McMullen, Certified Arborist from Denny Lumber Company
2:30        Pruning Workshop-outdoors, Jeff McMullen

For more information, contact Jeff Michel of Keep Middletown Beautiful at Jeffmi@cityofmiddletown.org or call 513-465-2675. Volunteers may sign up on line at keepmiddletownbeautiful.com