ABBEVILLE, La. — Volunteers from various local organizations came together Thursday morning to help clean up the Vermilion River, reinforcing a shared commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Abbeville.
The effort brought together groups including the Vermilion Parish Chamber of Commerce, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Keep Abbeville Beautiful, TC Energy, and, for the first time, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office. These volunteers dedicated several hours to removing litter and debris from the river and its banks.
Recreational boater Myra Leger expressed her gratitude for the cleanup, noting the benefits it would bring to local water users. “It’s wonderful because it will be nice to not have to worry when you cast your line out, knowing you won’t bring up a bag or a beer can,” she said.
Volunteers recovered a range of items during the cleanup. Ashley Adams, Public Information Officer for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, shared that the group found everything from old wood and a high chair to litter and, unfortunately, narcotics. “On a lighter note, we also found a beach ball,” Adams added.
Lauren Trahan, Director of the Vermilion Parish Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of such initiatives. “River cleanup is immensely important. Any kind of litter or trash abatement is phenomenal,” Trahan said.
Beyond enhancing the environment, the cleanup event fostered a stronger sense of community pride and cooperation among residents, demonstrating the power of collective action in preserving Abbeville’s natural resources.