Approximately 264 volunteers from around the state helped clean up the Kalamazoo River over the weekend with 8,940 pounds of trash collected, including nearly 70 tires.

The river, as well as its adjoining river trails, parks, and low lands, were cleared of litter, trash, and other evidence of urban living just days before Earth Day. Saturday’s turnout is the largest volunteer initiative of its kind in the history of the Kalamazoo area, according to Michigan Waterways Stewards, one of the event’s organizers.

MWS, as well as the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo, the City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Parks, and many others joined forces to organize the cleanup effort, with volunteers traveling from across the state to lend a hand.