Lend a hand with spring cleanup and make it beautiful

Spring officially sprung about a month ago.
But we have yet  to see two or three spring day in a row. The last couple of weeks were a virtual tale of two weekends. One day it’s warm and the next day it’s chilly.
One day the birds are singing and the next day the birds are cringing.
But the timing of the first spring blooms are probably the best barometer of this season’s change.
Plants recognize spring sooner than people and in large part, most crocuses and daffodils have already bloomed.
Not to mention the buds on trees and bushes have already bloomed and their leaves are not far behind.
These blossoms are always a sight for sore eyes after winter, but another  certain sign of spring are eyesores.
That is, the litter along our roadways and the illegal dumps not quite yet camouflaged by foliage.
Obviously, winter’s rough on the landscape in general, but it’s that human touch — littering and illegally dumping trash — that can really leave things in a mess.
That’s why we were encouraged to hear of upcoming plans for at least two major spring cleanup projects in the greater Morgantown area. Both initiatives — the Morgantown Community Clean Up Day and the WVU Athletics Day of Service — are set for April 27.
The Morgantown cleanup effort is targeting about a dozen sites, such as city’s parks, trails and other green spaces.
These area’s are especially vulnerable to litter because of the public’s access to them and intense use.
Ten WVU athletic teams — about 200 athletes — will be given a choice of 10 cleanup initiatives, including the Morgantown project, to participate in.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting registrations for its Adopt-A-Highway Spring Statewide Cleanup program. The DEP cleanup is set for  April 27. Volunteers have until Friday to register.
Other such cleanup projects, including one organized by Friends of Deckers Creek along the banks of its namesake, have already occurred. And look for news of still other such cleanups, ranging from cemeteries to state parks, to happen shortly, too, in our region.
These projects not only improve the quality of the environment but inspire the public’s participation in ridding our neighborhoods and region of litter.
We encourage the public to participate in these and other spring cleanup projects when and where they can.
Despite tending to our own yard work and mowing, it’s important we take pride in keeping our community clean, too.
Sometimes we forget just how green with envy many visitors to our region’s towns and forests really are.
So, let’s  lend a hand to make it even more beautiful.