Janet Huckabee helps clean up Spring River

Arkansas' First Lady Janet Huckabee helped to get the trash out of the Spring River as part of this year's Spring River Cleanup canoe float.

Over 40 volunteers, including Huckabee, her campaign manager, employees of Arkansas State Parks and Tourism, Game and Fish, and other state and federal agencies took part, floating from Dam 3 in Mammoth Spring to Many Islands Campground. Along the way, participants filled garbage bags with floating debris such as bottles, cans and Styrofoam, while battling snakes, spiders and a strong current.

Huckabee said they had "seen two bald eagles, and some of the most beautiful country on earth." She stressed the importance of conservation.

"Our state parks belong to all of us, and we are all responsible for their upkeep." At the conclusion of the float, Huckabee was given a parting gift from the group at Many Islands Campground.

While in Mammoth Spring Huckabee ate at local restaurants and toured Mammoth Spring State Park.

She also suggested to Mayor Jean Pace and other townspeople, that bottling and selling spring water may create jobs and "provide a steady source of revenue for the park and local government.