Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970 and it continues this year with volunteers spending a few hours picking up litter along the West Branch of the Susquehanna Riverwalk and pathways in the City of Williamsport.

Originally stemming from an idea of U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, inspired by the saving the planet and other protests of the 1960s, Earth Day began as a “national teach-in on the environment.”

It was set to be on April 22 to maximize the number of students that could be reached on university campuses.

Today, Earth Day is a Saturday that offers individuals — no matter their age — a wide range of events coordinated globally.

When picking up an aluminum can or a piece of paper and putting them into plastic bags for pickup, participants are among the billion people in more than 193 countries.

This will be true for those taking part in Williamsport’s Earth Day activities and those around the region.

The Williamsport event will feature four entities collaborating to beautify the city and its landscape.

Among the participants will be the Williamsport Recreation Department, Newberry Community Partnership, Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College.

Lycoming College, according to an email from the school’s marketing and communications department, is partnering with “42 different service sites, from private residences to nonprofits, for a day of volunteerism.”

“Each year, members of Newberry Community Partnership approach the clean up event with tremendous enthusiasm,” said Michele Frey, a NCP spokeswoman.

“These annual clean-up events are the heart of what we do at Newberry Community Partnership,” she said.

“It’s about coming together to provide a service to the entire community,” Frey said. “The efforts of the volunteers can readily be seen. When everyone pitches in, for just a short time, we really can make a difference with litter in our town.”

From 9:30 a.m. to noon, this effort, driven by local volunteers and college students, will take place with a mission to clean up local parks, walkways, and riverways of trash and debris.

Serving a two-fold purpose, the Earth Day event will — when completed — help to keep the city beautiful, and it also provides an opportunity for college students and the community to work together.

Among the student organizers are Sophia Stabley of Lycoming College; Jaycie Loud of Penn College and Julia Hulslander of the Newberry Community Partnership.

These students spearheaded city cleanup efforts in previous years, but this is the first year that all three organizations, along with the city Recreation Department, are collaborating to cover areas stretching from Washington Boulevard to Williamsport Area Middle School.

Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and PickUP PA, a state Department of Transportation (PennDOT)-sponsored program, will help provide supplies, resources, and extra volunteers if needed.

If interested in participating in the cleanup event, contact the partnership or department.

Volunteers can meet at the Water Tower Square at 100 Commerce Park Drive at 10 a.m. or the West End Christian Community Center, West Fourth and Diamond streets, at 9 a.m.

Outside of Lycoming County, Mill Cove Environmental Area will offer free, hands-on activities and educational programs for people of all ages between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to a news release.

Being given away free to the first 1,500 people who arrive at Earth Day at Mill Cove is a ready-to-plant tree seedling.

At 10 a.m., Lee Stocks Jr. will lead volunteers in planting 500 bare root tree seedlings at Mill Cove.

“There are a variety of activities appropriate for children, youth and adults,” said Stocks, according to the news release. “Everyone will find plenty to do that will inspire them to make every day Earth Day.”

Mill Cove is located north of Mansfield.