Nearly fifty years have passed since 10,000 volunteers gathered along the banks of the Blackstone River to remove tons of trash, including appliances, furniture and even cars and a school bus.

Thus began, in September of 1972, an initiative called “Zap the Blackstone.”

Today, although many challenges still remain in the effort to “Bring Back the Blackstone,” the waterway is much cleaner than it was half a century ago. It is also a focal point for many of the activities taking place in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Establishing “pollinator gardens” and preserving cemeteries are both focal points of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Bonnie Combs, Molly Cardoza and others in the Corridor office are understandably proud of all of the happenings that are calling overdue attention to the region’s prized national park. Recently, for instance, the Corridor issued a call for help in growing its “pollinator gardens;” asking, “do you have a green thumb? Want to volunteer for gardening projects?”

Individuals interested in helping out in this capacity should email Ms. Cardoza at [email protected].

Establishing “pollinator gardens” and preserving cemeteries are both focal points of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

There is also an opportunity to take “the pollinator pledge” by going to https://blackstoneheritagecorridor.org/protect-our-pollinators/.

Meanwhile, to mark the anniversary of the Zap the Blackstone movement, a re-enactment of the 1972 clean-up will be held on Saturday, August 27th. The goal of organizers of the twenty seven-town watershed-wide cleanup in Massachusetts and Rhode Island is to have 10,000 volunteers again involved. It is being billed as “the biggest clean-up/green-up revival in fifty years.”

And the beat goes on.

The Corridor just announced the 15th annual Barbara J. Walker Butterfly Festival, which is scheduled for Saturday, August 13th from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Area at 414 Massasoit Road in Worcester. “Where butterflies roam free in their natural habitats.”

Activities as part of the Butterfly Festival will include naturist-led walks, workshops, a display of live caterpillars, children’s activities, garden tours, a plant sale and more. Anyone arriving in costume may win a prize.

On Wednesday, August 3rd, a Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at West End Creamery, 481 Purgatory Road, Whitinsville. This is scheduled as a tribute to “volunteers-in-parks.”

A North Smithfield Heritage Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 9 at the North Smithfield Town Hall, 83 Greene St., as a way to mark the indigenous, colonial and republican heritage of the town. Walking tours, antiques, art, car displays vendors and food are all part of the mix for this event.

A “Nature of Design: Connections Between Science, Engineering, and the Natural World: A Professional Development Institute for Grade 6-12 educators,” is on tap for July 11-15 from 8:30 to 3:30 p.m. Go to https://www.wadeinstitutema.org/spidi-k12/ for more information.

Also, on Friday, July 22, a free cemetery restoration workshop conducted by Jon Appel of Atlas Preservation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hotchkiss Cemetery, Great Road, North Smithfield. Mr. Appel is a national stone preservation supplier and professional historic stone conservator.

Call 401-651-6316 for further details.