More than 40 Notre Dame students, primarily from the Students for Environmental Action (SEA) and Women's Rowing Team, worked among more than 100 local volunteers in cleaning up the banks of the St. Joseph River, Saturday.

"Basically, this was a huge success," said Monica Burtcheall of SEA. "And we are very happy about it. We got a good turnout for so early in the morning, and the spirits stayed high throughout the day — it was pretty sweet."

Working for most of the day between Logan Street Bridge and Ironwood, the clean-up project was, for many, an enjoyable and eye-opening experience. Sponsored by the Friends of the St. Joe River Association, the clean-up has become an annual event for Notre Dame students and one which participants are confident will continue in years to come.

In past years, volunteers have encountered numerous surprises during the clean up, including discovering recliners, bedsprings, an air-conditioner, baby car seat, TV sets and a kitchen sink. This year, Notre Dame students encountered, among the overflow of general litter, a pipe, a carpet and a leather jacket. In all, roughly two entire dumpsters of trash were recovered from the banks.

The event served as one of the SEA's primary focuses, in addition to the upcoming Earth Day celebration, as the school year comes to a close. A similar clean-up expedition is in the works for the students' arrival in the fall.

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