Neuse River Foundation

5th Annual Neuse River Spring Clean-up!

Saturday April 14th,

8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Rain or Shine)

The annual Neuse River Clean-up began 5 years ago when Upper Neuse Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks

joined the NRF team.  At the time there were several small river clean-ups sponsored by various community groups in Raleigh.  Dean’s idea was to merge these small local clean-ups into one big annual event coordinated by NRF.  In doing so, Dean was also able to get the City of Raleigh to provide extra trash pick-ups and the Wake County Commissioners agreed to waive the landfill fees. The first year was a smashing success; 70 volunteers covered 20 miles of the Neuse River and hauled out more than 7,000 pounds of trash. 

Four years later, the river clean-up had grown to include 50 miles of river from Falls Dam in North Raleigh to Smithfield.  In addition, Larry Baldwin, Lower Neuse Riverkeeper organized a clean-up in downtown Kinston.  In total, last years clean-up covered 62 miles of the Neuse River and netted 21,000 pounds of trash with 300 volunteers!