Ducks Unlimited Takes to the Forest
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It was a cloudy overcast day but that didn’t stop Ducks Unlimited volunteers teaming with local scout troops to cleanup the Freetown State Forest. The weather didn’t get in the way of 75 people who showed up to volunteer their time bringing the forest back to life. Volunteers filled an entire dumpster, donated by Borges Bros Trucking of Assonet, with trash and debris from all over the forest. Areas concentrated on were the forest gate by Quanapog Rd in Freetown, Profile Rock area as well as the interior forest roads by the headquarters. Cirelli’s of Middleboro donated gloves & trash bags for the volunteers to use. The local Hockomock DU chapter wanted to cleanup the trash in the forest as well as work with the scouts to help them earn a conservation patch. Scout troops from Berkley, Lakeville & Middleboro showed up with their parents to help. Other key volunteers supporting the cause were the High School Youth Group from Christ Community Church in East Taunton.
DU member Billy DeSousa of Somerset said “I am volunteering to give back to an environment that gives me so much. I spend a lot of time in the Freetown/Fall River State Forest biking, hiking & hunting and lately I’ve noticed a lot of debris from simple trash to blatant illegal dumping. I hope those who aren’t here today will do their part and give some of their time to cleaning up outdoors, if everyone gave just a couple hours of their time it would make a world of difference. Also, I would ask that everyone mind the law and dispose of their trash properly!”
State DCR officials & Environmental Police Officers were on hand to support the cause. Environmental Police Officer James Cullen spoke with the scouts on the different gear they use in their work day. There were smiles everywhere when he turned on his lights and sirens. The volunteers cleaned from 9am – noon time where they stopped to have lunch. Ocean Spray Cranberries of Middleboro donated juice for the kids to recharge after their hard work.
Hockomock Chairman, Peter Duarte from Dighton said “I’m excited about the turnout. This is the first cleanup that we’ve done and the kids are a huge help. They are the future so it’s great to see them getting involved at a young age. We’re already planning to do another one next year, perhaps on the Taunton River.”