Clean-ups planned to commemorate Earth Day

Two clean-ups are scheduled in the community during April to commemorate Earth Day.    

The first clean-up is scheduled for Friday, April 22. Volunteers will clean the stream banks of Tripplett Creek in Morehead, removing trash and old tires. Those who wish to volunteer will meet at the Triplett Creek Gazebo, next to the Morehead Memorial Tree Walk on Don Greenhill City Park, at 10 a.m.    

A clean-up at Lockeegee Rock is scheduled for Friday, April 29, beginning at 10 a.m. Volunteers will meet at the trailhead that leads to the rock and should access the trail from the entrance on Highway 1274, as the access road is closed on the side near Cave Run Lake on Highway 801.   

Holly Niehoff, chair of Morehead State's Earthwise Eagles Sustainability Committee, said the clean-ups are important.    

"Getting involved helps protect our waterways and wildlife and it helps to encourage people to leave no trace. We are blessed with a beautiful place to call our home. We should want to keep our home in pristine condition," she said.   

Tools, trash bags and gloves will be provided at both events. Volunteers should dress appropriately for the outdoors and bring water, snacks, insect repellent, and sunscreen to the event.    

The events are sponsored by Kentucky PRIDE and the Rowan County Solid Waste Office. The PRIDE initiative promotes Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment in 42 Southern and Eastern Kentucky counties. To learn more, visit https://kypride.org/.    

Also in the community, the Rowan County Landfill will hold a free disposal day on Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants must be residents of Rowan County. Hazardous materials will not be accepted. Tires will be accepted for a fee of $6 for each standard tire and $12 for each commercial vehicle tire.   

In addition, the Rowan County Fiscal Court will hold three tire collection days, May 4, 5 and 6, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the county services building on American Legion Way. The event is sponsored by the fiscal court and the Kentucky Division of Waste Management. The following types of tires will be accepted:   

• Passenger vehicle  
• Light truck   
• Truck   
• Agricultural   
• Lawn tractor  
• ATV  
• Bicycle  
• Tires on rims  

The following will not be accepted:  

• Foam/calcium filled tires   
• Heavy equipment (OTR) tires  
• Solid tires with or without pressed on rims   
• Any tire with a bead greater Than 1 ¾”  

To learn more about clean-up events in Morehead and Rowan County, contact Solid Waste and Floodplain Coordinator Tyler Brown at 606-784-6345 or tyler.brown@rcky.us.   

For more information about Earthwise Eagles, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/earthwise, email Niehoff at h.niehoff@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2179.