Jordan River to receive ‘make-over’

Volunteers will clean up Jordan River this weekend in an effort to help educate people about the \nenvironment. \nThe Volunteers in Sustainability ask all people with environmental interests to come pick up litter while learning about water quality and the IU River Restoration Project. \nThe cleanup will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday behind Woodburn Hall. \nIU is responsible for picking up trash along the Jordan River weekly, but this week, the trash was left to show volunteers how much is thrown in the river over a one-week time span. \nBecause the Jordan River runs through the center of campus and is a noticeable feature, it represents the beauty of IU, said Michael Hamburger, professor of geological sciences. “It’s also a symbol between what goes on in the community of the campus and what goes on outside the campus.” \nWhile volunteers pick up trash, they will also learn about sampling and assessing water quality from Bloomington’s environmental commissioner Kriste Lindberg. \nGraduate students Nancy Arazan and Rachel Powers, who interned last summer for the IU River Restoration Project, will also discuss the future improvements to be made to the Jordan River. \nThe primary goal of the event is to increase awareness of some of the environmental issues facing the Jordan River and improve its visual quality, Hamburger said. \nThe Volunteers in Sustainability also hope to draw more members to the group. The group’s purpose is to provide resources for the current generation without sacrificing resources for future generations. \nThe long-term goals of the group include restoring the river by stopping the erosion threatening surrounding infrastructures, such as sidewalks and bridges, and to improve water quality. \n“I’ve seen people with their feet in the river and in the summer, kids and families playing in it,” Arazan said. “We don’t want them to worry about playing in the river and getting sick.” \nAfter the cleanup takes place, a reception will be held in Dunn Meadow. In case of rain, the event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.