By David Okada
Dozens of volunteers gathered in Morristown on Saturday morning to clear debris from a flood-prone stretch of the Whippany River, continuing an annual effort to improve the waterway’s health.
The cleanup, now in its 14th year, was organized by the nonprofit Whippany River Watershed Action Committee (WRWAC).
Participants included local officials from Morristown and Morris Township, members of Boy Scout Troop 155 from Hanover, Unity Charter School students, volunteers from the Morristown United Methodist Church, and members of Bethel A.M.E. Church, among others.
Morristown police were on hand to ensure safety of the 60 or so volunteers.
The Rev. Sidney Williams Jr., pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, which borders the river, said he hopes to see affordable housing built nearby when flooding is resolved. A $300,000 federal flooding study is targeted for completion in September 2026.
Mayor Tim Dougherty discussed the importance of working with neighboring towns to remove and replace fallen and unhealthy trees along the waterway.
For some volunteers, the cleanup was a hands-on lesson in environmental responsibility. The Scouts from Hanover ventured onto fallen trees to retrieve trash, with one Scout pulling a car tire from the riverbed. Assistant
Paul Winters said the troop participates each year because the kids recognize that pollution upstream inevitably will reach their community.
Young volunteers like Annabelle Blau, a Unity Charter School student, also took part in the effort. She and her father, Bill Blau, hauled trash from the river to a collection site.
Bill Blau said his daughter really enjoyed the experience. He called it a great opportunity for young people to learn about the environment.
The Morristown United Methodist Church had eight participants from its Earth Aware climate justice group, which also sponsors environmental initiatives in town. Disclosure: This correspondent is a member of Earth Aware.
Volunteers were provided with coffee and bagels from The Bagelry in Hanover, courtesy of WRWRAC.
