The Connecticut River Conservancy's (CRC) 29th annual Source to Sea Cleanup is back on Sept. 26 and 27, with flexible opportunities for individual groups to choose their cleanup day.
The goal is to remove as much trash as possible from waterways, riverbanks, and communities to reduce the impact of pollution across the 410-mile Connecticut River watershed, including the tributaries that feed the mainstem river in NH, VT, MA, and CT.
Registration is open for group leaders and volunteers at SourceToSeaCleanup.org.
What began in 1996 with a small group of volunteers dedicated to clean water and healthy habitats has grown to a massive community action trash removal event. Brought together by a shared passion for trash-free waterways, countless communities, businesses, nonprofits, and families now participate throughout the Connecticut River watershed.
Group leaders organize cleanup events at trash sites based on areas of need, while volunteers donate their time and effort to remove trash from nature. Local municipalities support by providing dumpsters, waiving disposal fees, or collecting the trash from locations after the volunteers have completed their cleanups.
Trash tallies are also gathered after each cleanup, contributing to CRC's long-standing database which is used to inform the nonprofit's work in advocacy to reduce pollution, support river restoration, and inform the public and policymakers of issues affecting the environment. This event often includes participation from local legislative leaders.
Last year's cleanup included 117 groups and more than 1,000 volunteers throughout four watershed states, who collectively removed 39 tons of trash from rivers and riverside areas (more than 78,000 pounds). A wide variety of waste was collected by volunteers, including 16,824 beverage containers, 475 tires, and 5,603 pounds. of scrap metal in addition to cigarette butts, fishing equipment, food packaging, and common household items.
Since data collection began in 1999, 1,146 tons of trash has been documented as removed from the watershed-and not everyone submits detailed data.
CRC will use #SourcetoSeaCleanup on Instagram to connect volunteers and encourage social media sharing of the cleanup experience.
"The Source to Sea Cleanup is an opportunity to get dirty for cleaner rivers, work with others in your community, and clean up our waterways and city streets," CRC Cleanup Coordinator Stacey Lennard said in a news release. "When you pick up trash you are diverting that waste from going down storm drains and into the river system, which eventually flows into the ocean. You are ensuring that we keep this debris out of our rivers and oceans."
Group leaders who need help finding a cleanup site can check out CRC's map of adoptable trash sites. Or they can choose a site of their own by submitting a "Report a Trash Site" form. Parks, city blocks, boat ramps, and neighborhood hangouts are typically great spots to clean up. Trash travels, so even picking up litter off a city sidewalk can help protect wildlife and communities that depend on clean waterways. Group leaders are encouraged to scout the site beforehand to determine if it's suitable for their group.
A handy Group Leader Guide is available for download on the Source to Sea Cleanup website and provides all the necessary information and forms for running a successful cleanup. For any questions about getting involved, contact Lennard at cleanup@ctriver.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.