all automotive recyclers will buy them for a buck.
as the others have mentioned, it is dangerous to handle batteries that have been in the elements for long periods, Use gloves as well as rubber gloves over top of your gloves.
I work at an autowrecker, and to handle the batteries we have several pairs of Oven Mits,
yup oven mits..lol
you can always goto your local rent-it dealer and rent battery carrying clamps.
i comend you on wanting to clean the area up, but once people start getting into the habit of
disposing stuff in the outdoors, they dont tend to stop.
so you may find that there will always be more dumped after youve taken the effort to clean the area.
best bet would be to inform the local hazourdous waste branch.
and find a different spot for your cache..
hope it all works out ok for ya.