A small island in the Schuylkill River that can be seen when strolling along the path behind the Fairmount Water Works has been adopted by a local woman and now has an official name: Isle of Jean, writes Nick Jaramillo for Billy Penn at WHYY.

The island, which can be approached on a small boardwalk, became a sieve for objects floating downriver due to its location.

“The amount of trash in the canal one year was so bad, you could practically walk across it to get to the island,” said Jean Knight, the island’s namesake.

Knight, who dubs herself a “life-long trash picker” decided to adopt the island through the Keep PA Beautiful Road and Adoption Program. With landowner permission, stewards can name the adopted piece of land and ensure it remains clean.

Twice a year, she rallies her team of volunteers to pick up trash on the island for a few hours to keep it nice and clean.

“What has been the most rewarding part of this activity for me is the spontaneous reaction of park users that immediately drop what they are doing to join in the trash collecting,” said Knight. “The energy is out there, it just needs a little direction.”

Read more about Jean Knight and the Keep PA Beautiful Road and Adoption Program in Billy Penn at WHYY.

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on MONTCO Today in November 2023.