Greenfield, MA – Connecticut River Conservancy’s (CRC) 25th annual Source to Sea Cleanup kicks off this month with thousands of volunteers working together across four states to clean up trash from the Connecticut River and its tributaries. September 24 to 26 are the official dates of this year’s event, but volunteer groups are welcome to join anytime this month to take part in CRC’s quarter-century tradition of getting dirty for cleaner rivers. Anyone interested in participating can get more information and register at www.ctriver.org/cleanup, or join a virtual Cleanup Coffee Hour on September 9 to learn more.
CRC is counting down the days until the Source to Sea Cleanup on their social media channels with different challenges, trash facts, and helpful tips posted each day. You can join the fun by posting photos, videos or original art that illustrates your love for the river with the hashtag #RiverWitness. “You can help show the problem to help solve the problem,” says Stacey Lennard, CRC Cleanup coordinator. “Whether you’re inspired by river beauty or river pollution, use your imagination to show how much rivers are important to you with #RiverWitness!”
Submissions could include your own river artwork or a sculpture made of trash, a video of your favorite river spot, or a photo of trash you collect piled on a riverbank. Select images will be used to further ongoing advocacy around trash solutions and environmental protection. Share your photos with CRC on Facebook @connecticutriver, Instagram at @ctriverconservancy or Twitter at @CTRiverH2Oshed.
Over 1,300 volunteers participated in last year’s Source to Sea Cleanup, held across the entire month of September due to the pandemic. According to CRC trash tallies, two hundred groups collected 34.9 tons of trash along 262 miles of river. For the last 25 years CRC has coordinated this annual event across four states, targeting trash-ridden sites, organizing volunteers and equipping them with the tools needed to get the job done. Since then, volunteers have helped to haul over 1,200 tons of trash from our rivers – but there’s still more work to be done.
Registration is now open for individuals and groups participating in this year’s Source to Sea Cleanup: www.ctriver.org/cleanup. Leading up to this year’s Source to Sea Cleanup, CRC is hosting a series of virtual Cleanup Coffee Hours. The final Coffee Hour on September 9 at 5pm is an open session for any questions you may have. Coffee Hour details and registration can be found at www.ctriver.org/events. You can watch recordings of prior Coffee Hours on CRC’s YouTube channel to learn more about registering for the Source to Sea Cleanup, connecting with a group, choosing a Cleanup site, tallying and disposing of your trash.
Eversource, USA Waste & Recycling, and All American Waste are the Lead Source to Sea Cleanup sponsors and organize their own employee volunteer groups, too. “We look forward to sponsoring and participating in the Source to Sea cleanup event every year and know first-hand that proper waste disposal is important to keep our rivers and communities clean,” says Frank M. Antonacci, COO of USA Waste & Recycling. “Our investment in a new state-of-the-art recycling facility will be a keystone for Connecticut’s recycling infrastructure, now and for future generations.” Eversource Manager of Sustainability Clare Connolly notes, “We take great care to promote conservation and protection of wildlife, natural and cultural resources and strive to foster the long-term vitality of the land we manage. Working with CRC at their Source to Sea Cleanup event helps to sustain healthy rivers and protect important natural resources.”
Since 1952, Connecticut River Conservancy has been the voice for the Connecticut River watershed, from source to sea. They collaborate with partners across four states to protect and advocate for your rivers and educate and engage communities. They bring people together to prevent pollution, improve habitat, and promote enjoyment of your river and its tributary streams. Healthy rivers support healthy economies. To learn more about CRC, or to make a contribution to help protect your rivers, visit www.ctriver.org.
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