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Scouts, POWWW haul huge pile of trash from woods
A group of 20 Scouts from Denville’s Troop 117 and members of POWWW (Protect our Wetlands, Water and Woods) pushed, pulled, hauled and lugged a mountain of trash from Jonathan’s Woods on Saturday, April 5, Rid Litter Day in Denville.
“The pile of stuff we brought out had to be seen to be believed,” said Denville resident, Jon Randall, Vice President of POWWW. “It is amazing what people have dumped in these beautiful woodlands over the years.”
The “haul” included an old car that has been in the woods for close to 20 years. The team of scouts, POWWW members and friends cut the metal and dismantled the vehicle so that it could be hauled the half mile or so out of the woods to Old Beach Glen Road.
Other items that were added to the pile included a rowing machine (including weights), skis, bicycles, tires, clothing and all manner of household appliances.
Members of the team scattered throughout the 600 acres of preserved woodlands, walking the trails and clearing them of debris.
“In general, the trails we walked were fairly clean,” said Hilary Thomas of Cedar Lake in Denville a POWWW Board member who hiked the Hog Pen area with Anna Novellino, her neighbor, her husband Ward Dorer and their Shetland Sheepdog, Daisy.
“But there are pockets where people have left a dreadful mess, the worst of which is all the broken glass.”
There was a huge feeling of satisfaction as the weary group gathered at the large trash pile on Old Beach Glen Road at the end of the day.
“This was a terrific effort,” said Randall, as he viewed the pile with his son, Dylan, age 14, and daughter Cassie, age 8, who had worked alongside their father all day.
“POWWW has worked hard to get these woodlands preserved, and now it is just as important to keep them clean and safe for wildlife and hikers.”
The pile had been cleared from the side of the road by Monday, April 7. POWWW thanks Denville for their help and promptness. POWWW is a not-for-profit conservation organization and land trust. For more information go to www.powww.org
Photos courtesy of Hilary Thomas
Photo 1: Scouts and POWWWers work together to dismantle the abandoned car in Jonathan’s Woods
Photo 2: From the left, Matt Novellino, Dave Peck, and Norm Albrecht, all of Denville, cart a large part of the car body out of the woods on a wheelbarrow.
Photo 3: Tim Vogel, left, and Matt Novellino, both of Denville, carry car parts the half-mile through the woods to Old Beach Glen Road.
Photo 4: Cassie Randall, age 8, of Denville lugs an old garbage can and some skis from the woods.
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