5 March was Clean Up Inner West Day, led by Inner West Council.

Across the inner west, kids, families and local volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help protect our precious biodiversity, parks, streets and waterways.

Over 60 bags of rubbish were collected by inner west volunteers on the day from over 20 different sites across the inner west.

In Ashfield, Bethlehem College students spent the weekend cleaning up Richard Murden Reserve, while the Ekushe Academy and Guardian Childcare both picked up rubbish in Ashfield Park.

In Marrickville, the Warren Neighbourhood Group focused on cleaning up Mackey Park and Paddle NSW cleaned up Ewen Park by the Cooks River.

I also acknowledge My Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Centre in Haberfield, Ferncourt Public School, Marrickville Public School, Summer Hill Public School, Fort Street High School, Christian Brothers Lewisham, for helping keep their school communities rubbish free.

Thank you to all the inner westies who participated and gave up part of their weekend to help protect our natural environment.

A special thank you to local inner west environmental groups including the Mudcrabs, Cooks River Alliance, and Friends of Ewen Park.