Charles River Clean Up In Action

On Saturday, April 25, volunteers picked up trash in Waltham as part of the 16th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup. In a collaboration led by Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), volunteers from over 130 groups throughout the Watershed worked together to remove litter and invasive species from the banks of the Charles River and surrounding parks.

Residents are drawn to the popular Earth Day Charles River Cleanup from a desire to give back to Waltham while enjoying the beauty and wildlife along the Charles River. Volunteers build on the connections they establish during this day of stewardship by returning to the Charles to exercise, play or enjoy nature throughout the year.

Working in one of eight regions throughout the Watershed, each participant contributed to the health of the Charles River by picking up trash, removing invasive species, or assisting with park maintenance. Volunteers removed trash including bottles, cigarette butts and Styrofoam cups as well as unusual items such as car parts, discarded furniture, and a message in a bottle.

In recognition of their hard work, volunteers attended a picnic at Blue Heron Trail, one of three celebratory picnics, and received an Official Cleanup T-shirt designed by Massachusetts College of Art and Design Sophomore Morgan Withee. A native of the New Hampshire coast, Withee’s work is inspired by the complex and powerful forces of nature. A speaking program at DCR’s Christian Herter Park featured Charles River Watershed Association’s Executive Director Bob Zimmerman, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg, Deputy Director of MassParks Samantha Overton, Senator William Brownsberger and Representative Timothy Toomey, as well as members of the Cambridge and Watertown town councils.

To successfully implement an event of this size, Charles River Watershed Association works with a team of diverse local organizations including: Charles River Conservancy, the Department Conservation and Recreation, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, The Esplanade Association, State Senator Will Brownsberger’s office and The Waltham Land Trust. The Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup®, which to date, has removed over 20.7 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways.

Formed in 1965, CRWA uses science, advocacy, the law and the help of volunteers to protect and restore the Charles River and its watershed. CRWA uses its science-based understanding of the watershed to define effective, long-term solutions to the river’s problems, and to promote cutting-edge, sustainable water management practices. As a result of CRWA’s efforts over the last 50 years, the Charles River, once one of the most degraded rivers on the East Coast, is now considered the cleanest urban river in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Sponsors of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup include Cleanup Advocates City Sports/Patagonia and Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. Cleanup Supporters include American Rivers, Amgen, Boston University, Boston Water and Sewer Commission, the Cadmus Group, CDM Smith, Charles River Canoe & Kayak, Chestnut Hill Realty, Eversource, Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Keurig Green Mountain, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Next Step Living, Whole Foods Market and Woodard & Curran. Cleanup Friends include Auburndale Builders, Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, Cambridge BioMedical, Massachusetts Sierra Club, Newton Yacht Club, PIB Law, REI, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Triumvirate Environmental, Watertown Community Foundation, and White Corporation.

For more information about the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup, please visit www.charlesriver.org/charles-river-cleanup