Wear boots and expect to get muddy. It sounds like a good time.

This potentially messy event on Saturday is definitely a way to help out the Missouri River. While some environmental efforts have vague directives — such as leave a smaller carbon footprint — River Relief has the clear objective to pick up trash along the Missouri River.

All kinds of clutter, from soda bottles to coolers to old tires, collect on the banks of the river. The junk pollutes the river, which is a source of drinking water, and interferes with wildlife, as well as creating an eye sore.

River Relief is a volunteer organization that has picked up more than a million pounds of trash since 2001. The Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri American Water Co. are helping to support the cleanup in St. Joseph.

Saturday’s event provides a chance for residents to get out and enjoy the beauty of fall on the river. Families, churches and service groups are encouraged to serve together. Volunteers should gather at the French Bottoms near the Remington Nature Center at about 8:30 Saturday morning. They will be shuttled by boats to locations along the river bank where they’ll bag up trash to be picked up later in the day.

Some advice — wear boots or sturdy tennis shoes and long pants. Gloves and life preservers will be provided. All volunteers will receive a T-shirt and a reusable water bottle, and lunch will be served by Terrible’s St. Jo Frontier Casino. Boat owners are invited to lend their efforts to pick up trash.

“The more people that help out, the cleaner the river gets,� said Steve Schnarr of River Relief.

And we think more fun will be had, too.