Several groups, lead by Keep Lee County Beautiful and in cooperation with East County Water Control District have scheduled a volunteer litter clean-up at Harns Marsh. Local groups helping to sponsor the January 15 event include Keep Lehigh Acres Beautiful (KLAB) and Kiwanis Club of Lehigh Acres and Lee County Departments of Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation, said Damon Shelor of the Kiwanis Club.

Keep Lee County Beautiful is an organization established at the direction of concerned community leaders from the public and private sector. KLCB’s parent organization is Keep America Beautiful.

KLCB is responsible for coordinating and implementing a countywide litter education and prevention program involving the business community, local governments, organizations and individuals, Shelor said.

In an effort to increase clean-up activities for Lee County, KLCB is partnering with East County Water Control District and Lee County to conduct a series of waterway clean-ups in 2011. For more information about KLCB please visit; “http://www.klcb.org/”>www.klcb.org/.

Locally, Keep Lehigh Acres Beautiful (KLAB), has been working with the Lehigh Acres Community Initiative (LACI) to conduct neighborhood beautification projects in Lehigh Acres have attracted more than 750 volunteers in 10 projects during 2010. Shelor is also president of KLAB, and is asking for volunteers from local social and civic organizations to participate in the January 15 event. For more information about KLAB visit, www.LehighCleanSweep.org .

The Harns Marsh Preserve clean-up on Saturday, January 15 is from 9 a.m. to noon. Harms March Preserve is at 3399 38th St. W, Leigh Acres.

To get there follow these directions: North on Sunshine Blvd N. (from the Lee Blvd. / Sunshine Blvd., intersection) After crossing the bridge turn left (North) onto Ruth Ave. Proceed to 38th St. and turn left. Go to end of road to entrance of Harns Marsh.

“Join us for a fun day on the water and banks of beautiful Harns Marsh Preserve to help clean up the marsh. Remember to pack sunscreen, a hat, work gloves, water shoes, drinking water and snacks. Plan on getting wet and dress accordingly.

“We’ll provide garbage bags and water refills. There will be kayaks available at the Harns Marsh Preserve free of charge if you need one. The supply is limited; first come first served. If you have a canoe or kayak of your own please bring it and plan to launch at the Preserve. Please plan to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to register and set up. RSVP is required as space is limited, RSVP to Trish Fanscher at trish@klcb.org or call 239-334-3488,” Shelor said.

You can also contact Shelor at LehighCleanSweep@yahoo.com or call 239 222-4621.

Keep Lee County Beautiful and KLAB are 501(c) 3 organizations and can authorize service-learning (volunteer) hours for students.