DANVILLE — The city's parks and recreation division and Keep Vermilion County Beautiful are sponsoring a river cleanup at Ellsworth from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Volunteers are needed to remove litter from the banks of the North Fork River within the park area. The cleanup is part of a statewide annual event called "It's Our River Day." Individuals and groups of all ages are encouraged to participate. Other environmentally friendly tasks will take place such as tree planting along the stream banks and maintenance of previously planted foliage along the banks.

Steve Lane, Danville's special services superintendent, said the stream bank plants are tightly packed trees and shrubs along the river's edge that develop strong root systems and hold the bank in place, preventing erosion.

He said lunch will be provided to volunteers. The sponsors would like an idea how many volunteers to expect, so Lane said anyone interested in volunteering or anyone who wants more information about the event, can call 431-2273.