Cleanups

Volunteer Cleanup Opportunities

Upcoming Public Cleanups

Our monthly Riverkeeper-led cleanup season runs from February through October, culminating in our annual Riversweep event. Our monthly cleanups are facilitated by Catawba Riverkeeper and are open to anyone in the community who would like to participate.

Many of our cleanups this year will continue to support the restoration of waterways and communities in our basin greatly impacted by Hurricane Helene. If you would like to support Hurricane Helene-specific cleanups, please consider donating here.

The Catawba Riverkeeper offers a variety of cleanup opportunities to take part in, continue reading to learn more about these opportunities and what you can expect at a cleanup.

Cleanup Categories

Volunteer-Led Cleanups

Would you like to host a cleanup on behalf of the Catawba Riverkeeper in a way that is most convenient for your group? We will provide all the supplies you need to host your very own private cleanup, including instructions, and promotion of your success through our platforms. Contact our Volunteer & Community Science Manager at Kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org at least 2 weeks prior to your preferred date to discuss location options and other pertinent details needed for supply preparation. For more information on how to put together a cleanup for your group, view our Volunteer-Led Cleanup Guide.

Public Cleanups

Public Riverkeeper led cleanups are hosted throughout the Catawba-Wateree River Basin and usually take place once or twice a month from February through October. We recommend ages 12 and up for participation due to the nature of these cleanups. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.

Tactical Cleanups

Do you like a challenge? Would pulling bulk items such as furniture and tires out of the riverbank give you a feeling of satisfaction? Are you interested in an unorthodox workout? Tactical cleanups typically involve bulky objects, longer time frames, or to some degree are more logistically challenging than our public cleanup opportunities. At various times throughout the year, we host these cleanups around the basin and call upon our team of tactical volunteers to assist. Due to the challenging and physical nature of these cleanups they are offered to those who know what they are getting into and are looking for a fun workout of manual labor. If being a part of this interests you, please contact our Volunteer Manager at Kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org to get on the email list for these opportunities.

Private Group Cleanups

If you are interested in having Catawba Riverkeeper host a cleanup event for your group or organization, please fill out this form OR contact our Volunteer & Community Science Manager at Kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org at least 4 weeks in advance to discuss options.

Corporate Cleanups

Catawba Riverkeeper organizes and facilitates small group cleanups for businesses upon request year-round throughout the basin. Learn more about Corporate Engagement Programs here. Contact our Vice President of Advancement at diana@catawbariverkeeper.org to start a conversation about hosting a cleanup with your employees.

What to expect

Volunteers are likely to get their hands dirty and their shoes wet!

Pulling up trash is a dirty job; you may also get wet depending on the type of cleanup.

The opportunity to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!

Let’s play outside while beautifying our surroundings and helping to keep our waterways clean!

Hands-on experiential learning for volunteers.

You’ll walk away knowing something you didn’t before and have a great time doing so!

We’re wheely sad to say that it’s not just plastic bottles.

We are CANoes not caNOTs! From plastic bottles and tires to sofas and lawn chairs, there’s no trash to small.

Everything you need is provided!

Just bring yourself (and a smile)! All equipment and cleanup supplies necessary for that event will be provided.

If you have questions or are interested in supporting our mission through volunteerism or community science, contact Volunteer & Community Science Manager Kaity D’Angelo at Kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org.

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