FIRST SATURDAY IN APRIL (RAIN OR SHINE) FROM 8 AM TO 2 PM
TOTALS FROM THE 6TH ANNUAL NEUSE RIVER SPRING CLEAN-UP
UPPER NEUSE RIVERKEEPER POSES WITH CLEAN-UP VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEER FINDS BEER BOTTLE WITH $600 IN NEUSE RIVER!
CLEAN-UP TOTALS!
Weight in pounds: 9260 Number of Bags: 378 Number of Tires: 44 Number of Volunteers: 269
Unusual items: 1Beer Bottle with $600, Car Bumper, Recliner, Fire Extinguisher, 5 quarts of used motor oil, Baby Car Seat, 100 Base balls, Skull, Scaffolding, Bed spring, Cell phone, XXL Bra, Corrugated Drain Pipe, Toy Wagon, Break Drums, Fan, Plastic Sled
The Neuse River Spring Clean Up covers 50 miles of the Neuse River between Falls Dam in North Raleigh to Smithfield Town Commons in Johnston County.In addition we added a 15-mile stretch on Crabtree Creek as well as a section in the lower Neuse River in Craven County. This event covers over 70 river miles with 14 check in stations. It is now the largest river clean up in the state! Approximately 1200 volunteers have removed more than 85,000 pounds of trash in six years.
YOUTH LEADER FROM ST. ANNE'S CHURCH PERCHES ON TREE LIMB TO COLLECT TRASH
TWO PADDLERS FILL THEIR CANOE WITH TRASH
WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Volunteers collect trash on the Neuse
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
The annual Spring Clean-up is good for the river and a great way to show your community spirit.
(Scroll down for MAPS, DIRECTIONS and information about IMAX Theater)
Background: 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, the 2006 clean-up covered 62 miles of the Neuse River and netted 21,000 pounds of trash with 300 volunteers!
Of course, the real success would be a river with no trash. But, don’t let the numbers discourage you; the previously cleaned sections are staying cleaner. The 2006 figures included removing two rotting cars from Crabtree Creek—a project we had never before attempted. (Crabtree Creek is a tributary of the Neuse that runs through the heart of Raleigh.)
How to Volunteer
Volunteers pick-up trash on the riverbank
Each clean-up station as an onsite Coordinator. Gloves and trash bags are provided.
Volunteers will be cleaning up trash along the banks of the river, on the islands, and around access areas like bridges. We have clean-up stations located at canoe launch sites between Falls Dam and Smithfield Commons. Further downstream there are clean-up stations in Craven County.
Please locate the most convenient station and come out between 8 and 9 am. (It is not necessary to stay until 2 PM, many folks cleaning the shoreline work for two or three hours.)
PADDLERS should arrive around 8 AM to get an early start on the river. VOLUNTEERS on foot, cleaning the shoreline should arrive between 9 and 10 am.
Pre-registration is not required.
Volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. (You may bring a waiver signed by a parent and give to the site coordinator.)
We provide: Each station has an on-sight Coordinator Gloves and trash bags are provided at all locations. Shuttle service provided for paddlers at specified locations. Shuttle trailers provided for canoes and kayaks at specified locations. All volunteers must sign an insurance waiver. A parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under the age of 18.
What You Should Bring: Dress for muddy wet conditions Sunscreen Bug repellent Snack
