The following information was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:
Registration is now open for the 25th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20, 20241 Each year, the Charles River Cleanup brings together over 3,500 volunteers to improve the parks, forests, playgrounds, and paths and keep the Charles River and its tributaries clean, safe, and beautiful for all.
The Charles River Cleanup builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River
Cleanup, which, to date, has removed over 32.5 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways, as well as the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Park Serve Day, a statewide cleanup initiative now in its 18 year. Since 1999, Charles River Cleanup volunteers have gathered each Earth Day to pick up litter, remove invasive species, and assist with park maintenance along all 80 miles of the Charles River and the 1,100 acres of Emerald Necklace parkland surrounding the Muddy River, a tributary of the Charles.
Volunteers have a long-lasting impact–the Charles River Cleanup empowers ordinary river lovers to give back to their communities in a tangible way, forge new connections with nature and each other, and become life-long stewards of our river.
“We are so grateful to the thousands of volunteers who turn out to remove trash from the banks and parks and roadways near the Charles,” said Emily Norton, Executive Director of Charles River Watershed Association. “We look forward to the day when this cleanup isn’t necessary, but until then, this amazing turnout demonstrates how much people care about a clean, healthy Charles River
“The Charles River Earth Day Cleanup’s 25th anniversary is a major milestone and shows how popular and important this event is to the community and the Charles River and parks,” said Charles River Conservancy Executive Director Laura Jasinski. “We are thrilled to be part of this event again and to continue the important work of improving the health of the river ecosystem and connecting people to the parks.”
“The Muddy River, which runs through the Emerald Necklace, carries Boston and Brookline’s stormwater to the Charles River, critically linking the Necklace’s park health to that of the Charles River watershed,” says Karen Mauney-Brodek, President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. “We are thrilled to be celebrating our 16th annual Muddy River Cleanup in partnership with the Charles River Cleanup. These much-anticipated Earth Day cleanups remind us how interconnected our urban ecosystems are. Please come join us, take care of and celebrate our green and blue spaces!”
“A full generation of Clean Ups reminds us that the Charles continues to connect us, as it has for countless generations before as the tidal Quinobequin River,” said Jen Mergel, James & Audrey Foster Executive Director of the Esplanade Association. “This year especially, the work is also a celebration of collective care for the riverfront that also cares for us. With our partners and DCR, we are excited to make this Park Serve Day one for the Commonwealth to remember!”
“Congratulations to all of us on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Earth Day Charles River Cleanup!
This annual event is one of the most popular activities the Waltham Land Trust is a part of, welcoming hundreds of community members to the Watch City to remove litter and invasive plants from along the Charles. Please come join us!” said Sonja Wadman, Executive Director of Waltham Land Trust.
After the cleanup, all are welcome downriver on the Esplanade’s Dartmouth Landing from 12:30-2:00PM to a gathering that celebrates season after season of volunteer service, environmental stewardship and ecological knowledge. Look for the tent, food and music by the River! At the same time, further down the Muddy River, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy will also host a picnic in honor of their volunteers at their offices at 350 Jamaicaway, Boston.
Learn more and register for the Charles River Earth Day Cleanup here!
The Charles River Cleanup is organized by the Charles River Conservancy, the Charles River Watershed Association, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the Esplanade Association, and Waltham Land Trust in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Senator Will Brownsberger.