Members of the Emmaus Rotary Club and Wildlands Conservancy gather on a chilly Nov. 23 morning for a warm cup of coffee and some snacks before the bench dedication at the Black River Sanctuary ribbon- cutting ceremony.Additional photos appear on Page A2.Press Photo byKathy Hassick

The Emmaus Rotary Club collects 1,000 pounds of soft plastics such as bags for groceries, cereal, bread, newspaper and Bubble Wrap in just under a year as part of the NexTrex Recycling Program, which turns the plastics collected into benches and Trex products with the goal of keeping these types of plastic out of landfills.

Meghan Reed from the Emmaus Rotary Club, who spearheaded the initiative to collect plastics for the NexTrex Recycling Program, explains how groups like the Rotary Club, Lioness Club and lots of friends in the community helped keep her car loaded with plastic grocery bags to meet the goal of 1,000 pounds of soft plastics. She notes so much has been collected organizers are halfway to earning another bench.

Members of the Emmaus Rotary Club gather around the recently dedicated bench they worked hard to procure for the Wildlands Conservancy’s Black River Sanctuary.

Jackie Jones, director of development and Michael Hock, preserve manager at Wildlands Conservancy speak to the crowd about the 14 preserves available for year-round use throughout the Lehigh Valley. Jones also noted how heavily they rely on community support.

PRESS PHOTOS BY KATHY HASSICKAs if on cue, Scouts from Pack 368 make their way down the mountainside after an early morning hike on the trails.

With help from Emmaus Rotary Club members Gordon Reese and Cindy Hornaman, Meghan Reed officially cuts the ribbon during the bench dedication ceremony Nov. 23 at the Black River Sanctuary.