DRBC staff are welcomed at Palmyra Cove. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.

While the main efforts of DRBC staff are focused on managing and protecting the shared interstate waters of the Delaware River Basin, they also care about helping out in our local communities.

DRBC staff recently volunteered an afternoon at Palmyra Cove Nature Park, an Our Shared Waters partner, helping clean up trash along its tidal Delaware River shoreline. This is the fifth time in recent years that Commission staff volunteered at Palmyra Cove.

Because the park is urban, located just north of Philadelphia and Camden, copious amounts of trash float in with the tide. As such, there was no lack of "bounty," and the DRBC volunteers collected numerous bags of trash and recyclables, mostly plastic, styrofoam and glass. Besides being an eyesore, removing trash from in and around waterways is important, as it helps improve water quality and habitat.

Participating DRBC staff fully embraced the experience, not minding one bit getting their hands and feet dirty to help improve the Delaware River.

Palmyra Cove is a 250-acre park located at base of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge (on the N.J. side). In addition to its tidal river shoreline, Palmyra Cove Nature Park features a freshwater tidal cove, wetlands, woodlands and meadows and is popular for hiking, fishing and wildlife watching. It also features the Institute for Earth Observations, an interactive STEM exhibit that allows for adults and kids alike to engage in hands-on learning for free!

  • Learn more: http://www.palmyracove.org/

Staff is all smiles after a great cleanup! This peregrine falcon mural is on Palmyra Cove's Welcome Center. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	DRBC's Pat Rago cleans the shoreline at Palmyra Cove. The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge is in the background. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	DRBC staff fan out along the Delaware River shoreline, getting straight to work cleaning up trash. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.
DRBC staff collect gear for the cleanup. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	DRBC's Lulin Zhong cleans along the high tide line. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	Lots of smaller debris gets caught up in the greenery along the high tide line. DRBC's Jake Bransky is on it. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.
DRBC staff gather trash from the Delaware River shoreline. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	Staff gets in the weeds to pick up trash that has collected there. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	Staff met this regular Palmyra Cove volunteer, who visits frequently to pick up trash. Check out the size of that rootball! Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.
DRBC's Namsoo Suk (R) and Elba Deck pick up trash along the river. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	DRBC staff grabs a selfie during the cleanup. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	Check out all that trash! DRBC staff poses by the evidence of their cleanup efforts. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.