Niobrara River Cleanup Announced

Cleanup will be May 23

Area residents are invited to jump‑start the summer on Saturday, May 23, by joining a community river and road cleanup in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Niobrara National Scenic River.

The event is hosted by Friends of the Niobrara in partnership with the Niobrara National Scenic River staff. Volunteers will spend the morning picking up litter along the river and nearby roadways, followed by a noon program marking the anniversary.

Participants may choose either a river‑based or land‑based cleanup:

*        River Team: Meets at Smith Falls State Park at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. National Park Service rangers will lead the effort. River participants must register as official NPS volunteers and wear a life jacket while paddling. Free shuttle service will be provided for those floating.

*        Road Team: Meets at the Sparks Store at 9:00 a.m. Friends of the Niobrara members will organize groups and assign cleanup routes.

At noon, all volunteers are invited to Smith Falls State Park for a free lunch provided by Friends of the Niobrara. Afterward, National Park Service rangers will offer a short presentation on the Niobrara National Scenic River and its 35 years since designation on May 24, 1991. Friends of the Niobrara representatives will also share information about the organization’s history and membership opportunities.

As part of the program, the National Park Service will display entries from its commemorative art show. Friends of the Niobrara invites participants to bring old photos of good times on the river to share informally during the gathering. The group also welcomes short essays (up to 800 words) reflecting on personal experiences along the Niobrara; authors may share their pieces during the program if they wish.

To sign up for either team, contact Park Ranger Bobbie Roshone at bobbie_roshone@nps.gov or call 402‑386‑1925.