MU and BCC to host Earth Day event WEST LONG BRANCH - The Monmouth University and Brookdale Community College chapters of the New Jersey Water Watch (NJCWW) are partnering with the Red Bank Environmental Commission to host the second annual "Earth Day Clean Up and Celebration" on April 19 at Poricy Park in Middletown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The NJCWW has been working with students at Monmouth and Brookdale to monitor local waterways, clean beaches and rivers, and teach adults and children in the community about nonpoint source pollution. This year's cleanup efforts will concentrate on the Poricy Brook, a local waterway that feeds into the greater Navesink River. Both waterways have been severely impacted by overdevelopment, runoff and pollution. This Earth Day cleanup and celebration at Poricy Park not only helps further NJCWW's greater environmental initiatives, but also encourages continuing ties with the local community. "It is a chance to bring Monmouth County colleges, community members, organizations and officials together to help protect our rivers and streams," said Jeffrey Cody, VIP coordinator at the Monmouth University chapter of NJCWW. "Working together, we can make a difference," Codey added. This year's event will kick off with a cleanup of Poricy Brook and Swimming River. Volunteers will help reduce the effects of runoff and nonpoint source pollution by picking out all litter and debris from the Poricy Park waterways. Following the cleanup, the celebration will continue with a free community barbecue to celebrate Earth Day, featuring live music, speakers and prizes. Monmouth radio station WMCX will be broadcasting live from the park. All are welcome to attend the day's festivities. In addition to the scheduled outdoor activities, the Poricy Park Environmental Center will be open throughout the day. For more information, visit www.njwaterwatch.org/monmouth.