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It’s a local effort to be part of a global solution.

"We’re here to clean up the Austin Park for Earth Day,” said volunteer Alexis Wahr.

“We’re picking up trash because all the litter bugs are littering,” said volunteer Erin Phillips.

The kids who were out at Austin Park in Batavia cleaning have a message for those litterbugs.

"I would ask them why they do it? Because this is the planet they live on and they should take care of it,” said volunteer Sarah Whitehead.

“The earth is really important to us because we live on it and we have a home on it. We should clean it instead of destroy it,” one volunteer said.

Across town at the Dewitt Recreation Area, AmeriCorps volunteers planted 275 different types of plants.

The plants were chosen to help reduce soil erosion around the banks and to provide food and shelter for the animals.

One of the areas the volunteers are focusing on is a patch of land where fragmite is growing. Fragmite is a bamboo-like reed grass that takes over cat tails. The cat tails provide nutrients for aquatic animals like duck and geese.

“What the problem is that it will keep taking over that area and keep expanding its range," said Genesee County Parks Supervisor Paul Osborn. "The biggest thing is that it is very hard to control and this is just the beginning stages. The best way to get rid of it is to burn the tassels so the seed won't grow."

Paul says every year between 10,000 and 15,000 people enjoy all the park has to offer. He hopes Saturday's efforts will have a lifelong impact.

“The individuals that are here helping us today will be able to come back and say, ‘hey, I planted that’ and it lets them become part of the park long term,” Osborn said.

AmeriCorps

Genesee County Parks