Save The River’s Trash Free River Cleanups

Save The River has been cleaning up shoreline and boat slips for several years on both sides of the upper St. Lawrence River in an ongoing effort to make the St. Lawrence River “swimmable, fishable, and drinkable now and for generations to come”. These cleanups are community-based and volunteer oriented focused on the shore and water 10 feet inland of the shoreline and out into the River.

The problems of trash in the water of the St. Lawrence River have been well documented and can be observed on a daily basis by islanders and boaters. Removing plastics and other man-made debris from the St. Lawrence River is a pressing concern and with our Trash Free River cleanup we hope to start an annual tradition of shoreline and River bottom cleanups removing a major source of pollution from The River.

River Days 2022

July 29th & 30th

This year we are hosting a river-wide shoreline cleanup event. Teams will work in various locations between Cape Vincent and Massena. We are also working with the Thousand Islands Association to make this an international event as they coordinate teams on the Canadian side.

On Saturday July 30th  we will also be hosting Trash Free River “Rock for The River” Volunteer Appreciation Event from 5pm-8pm at Northern Flow Vineyards/DeLuke’s Garden Center in Clayton. More details coming soon!

Email us at outreach@savetheriver.org to join on Trash Free River contact list and be the first to know when registration is online.

Interested in being a business sponsor?

We are always looking for ways to work with new people! Our cleanups are a great way to volunteer with your team, get out on the river and promote your business. We are also looking for volunteers with boats, trucks and dump trailers to help make this event a success. Email us at outreach@savetheriver.org to learn more!

How it works:

• • Teams will register in advance and will be assigned their cleanup areas in advance. They will be able to pick up their cleanup kits and t-shirts in advance via a no-contact solution at Save The River’s office. Releases must be signed prior to participation in the cleanup
  • Day Of:
    • Check-in if needed day of 
    • Teams are at the assigned location by the designated time to start the cleanup
    • Disposal of all/final trash by teams at a time TBD.
  • Each day the cleanup area will be split into designated 12-15 zones.
  • Teams of 3-5 will work together along the shore and from the water via kayaks to clean up areas up to 10 ft “above and below” the shoreline
  • Teams will be given a cleanup kit with trash bags and trash grabbers and other necessary items to safely remove trash from the shoreline and water.
  • There will be a designated area for teams to dispose of their collected trash
  • View Our COVID-19 Protocols for this event.

Who Can Participate?

• Save The River is encouraging local businesses to register a team, any business team will receive recognition on our website, social media, and in our semi-annual newsletter River Watch.
• Families are also encouraged to register as teams, this is a family-friendly event but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 
• Individuals are also encouraged to register and will be assigned to a team and a specific zone.
• Calling all kayakers! Save The River is hoping that our network of volunteers will help provide coverage from the water with your own personal kayak.