Harrisburg, PA -- PPL Project Earth volunteers today (6/17) pulled on their work gloves and rubber boots to clean up the Susquehanna River streambanks near Harrisburg. The project is a joint initiative between PPL Project Earth and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC).

PPL donated $10,000 to get the project going. PPL Project Earth representative Gena Gallinger said, "This is the first initiative of this scope in Pennsylvania. Our hope is to work with SRBC and other project partners to expand the size of the streamside cleanup in the future and build on this grass roots conservation effort."

Volunteers scoured more than 8 miles of streambanks in the cleanup effort that took place in the South Harrisburg/Swatara Township area. Cleanup assignments were handed out during a kick-off meeting at 8:30 a.m. on City Island.

SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz said, "This streamside cleanup project has been a true partnership effort. The Commission is grateful to PPL Corporation and its employees for helping to make this day possible."

Approximately twenty-five PPL Project Earth volunteers took part in the project. Other project partners included: the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Capital Area Greenbelt Association, Governor Pinchot Group Sierra Club, Harrisburg Area Community College and the Wildwood Lake Nature Center.

Gallinger added, "The Susquehanna River Basin Commission has been the ideal partner in this effort. We want to thank all of the volunteers who turned out for the event."