INVISTA Waynesboro and Trout Unlimited partner for second year on South River Clean-up

Initiative to be Held Sunday Afternoon

WAYNESBORO, Va. - March 31, 2009 - The INVISTA Wildlife Club, a service organization formed by volunteers from INVISTA who are dedicated to improving wildlife habitat, and the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a national organization known for its conservation work, will be joining together again this year to clean-up the banks of the South River from Wayne Avenue to Main Street on Sunday, April 5th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  This cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Twenty-First Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup.

“There are almost 100 sites participating in parks and neighborhoods along the Potomac River and its tributaries in this coordinated cleanup event this weekend,” said Brenda Kennell, INVISTA’s environmental specialist and site coordinator for the INVISTA Wildlife Club. “ At INVISTA, we feel it is important to be good stewards of the environment. We are excited to participate in this important community clean-up event for the 15th consecutive year.” 

“As the South River is a tributary to the Potomac River, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay, maintaining the South River helps improve the health and vitality of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay,” said Michael Laczynski, INVISTA Waynesboro site manager. “Both INVISTA and Trout Unlimited have participated in the South River Cleanup separately for many years, and last year we decided to pool our resources. It worked so well that we decided to work together again this year.” 

“Trout Unlimited and INVISTA share the goal of giving back to the community and improving the environment,” said Tommy Lawhorne, president, Shenandoah Valley Chapter, Trout Unlimited. “It’s a great fit, and together we hope to make a difference.”

INVISTA’s Wildlife Club received the Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification/International Accreditation Program Certificate from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) for establishing property for corporate habitat enhancement. INVISTA also maintains a successful eastern bluebird monitoring program and hosts annual household waste collection days for the community.

The Shenandoah Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited has a long history of work on the South River, including working to get trout in the river and special regulations to promote fishery. In addition, the chapter has set up three Trout in the Classroom programs, one of which is sponsored by INVISTA, in local elementary and middle schools and has installed four habitat improvement structures at the South River.

About Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization, with over 150,000 members nationwide.