Annual Spring Cleanup, City of Fairfax Public Works

Over 250 volunteers participated in the Clean Earth Challenge as a part of the City of Fairfax, Virginia’s annual spring cleanup. More than 2,000 pounds of trash was collected in an area that encompasses the city’s 6.4 square miles.

Melissa Pennett, the Environmental Sustainability Specialist with the City of Fairfax, organized the event to be flexible for people of all abilities and ages to help make a difference in their community. Participation is based on an individual’s personal schedule and preference. Volunteers collected supplies from the designated “pit stop” and then set out to their location of choice or pre-assigned location.

For many groups including school clubs, businesses, church/religious affiliations, or families, people prefer to cleanup around their own properties or areas. In other cases, Melissa assigned individuals and groups to highly polluted areas of the city to get as much volunteer-power to clean and restore the environment.

The spring cleanup was a resounding success thanks to Melissa and the dedicated volunteers who logged over 700 hours to help make their city a cleaner, healthier place.