ASTOR — The Lake County Department of Environmental Utilities is encouraging residents to participate in the 13th Annual St. Johns River Cleanup on Saturday, June 6, from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

Volunteers at the Butler Street Boat Ramp fished out a collection of trash from the St. Johns River during last year’s River Cleanup.

Lake County is participating in the event with Volusia County. Of the nine cleanup sites, eight are located on the Volusia side of the river. The Lake County site is at the Butler Street Boat Ramp, located at 55400 Butler St., Astor.

“This is a great opportunity for Lake County to continue educating residents and visitors about the interconnectedness of the water basin and that what we do in one part of the river affects the entire watershed,” said Mike Bowers, Water Quality Services Director of the Lake County Department of Environmental Utilities. “Volunteers are needed to make this event successful.”

During the cleanup event last year, 434 volunteers collected just under 15.5 tons of debris from 59 miles of river.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own boat. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and close-toed shoes and bring work gloves. Rakes, shovels and trash grabbers may be helpful but not necessary. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks and water.

Preregistration is requested. To volunteer, log on to www.volusia.org/cleanup/stjohns.htm or contact Mike Bowers, site captain for the Butler Street Boat Ramp, at (352) 343-3776.