More than 50 volunteers cleaned Beardsley Park's waterfront during Beardsley Zoo's Party for the Planet and collected 800 pounds of garbage, organizers say.

The annual event was held ahead of Earth Day.

Efforts have helped brook trout return to the Pequonnock River's delicate ecosystem.

Jim Knox of Beardsley Zoo said a clean, healthy river is vital for wildlife. "They can't do that without a clean river. They can't do that without a healthy river, and our efforts today and beyond today contribute to this wonderful motion picture of this living river behind us," said Knox.

Carolyn Rinaldi, also from the zoo, urged people to join cleanups to protect endangered species and the river. "We protect endangered species, but what can folks do themselves to contribute to this? They can come out and help clean up Beardsley Park and the Pequonnock River," said Rinaldi.