Select a river and set a date and time

Selecting the right location is important. You should consider the number of volunteers, convenience and accessibility of the cleanup location, and size of the cleanup.

When selecting your site:

• Find a heavily littered area.
• Stay away from areas that have existing or potential safety hazards such as chemical containers or steep or unstable banks.
• Walk the area to see how accessible it is for a group cleanup effort. Find a good spot for your check-in station where volunteers will check in and obtain supplies and a place for your wrap-up celebration. Try to stay away from busy roads or areas difficult for your volunteers to access.
• Be sensitive to the ecosystem. Plan a cleanup near mass transportation, or make sure there is suitable parking and encourage carpooling.
• Decide if you will conduct a cleanup along the shoreline, in boats or both. If your group will be boating—identify safe “put in” and “take out” locations.
• Consider the size of the site. If the site is large, identify smaller sites within the location which can be managed by individual team leaders.
• Determine who will be participating. If your event will be family friendly, pay special attention to proximity to roadways, bridges or other areas where children might be particularly vulnerable.
• Ensure restroom availibility.

Before making any definite plans, determine whether the land is public or private, and if you’ll need permission to host your cleanup. Often a quick internet search will give you this information. If it is not clear who owns or manages the land, call your county auditor or land title office.

Federal agencies, like the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service, or state parks often manage public land. When asking for permission to use the land, also ask for donations of supplies, disposal services and/or publicity.

When discussing the cleanup with private landowners, focus on the positives. Explain that you want to improve the environment and participants will be respectful of the property. If you start by registering with American Rivers, you can also mention that the cleanup is part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup program, a nationwide effort to beautify rivers across the country

Registration with American Rivers

After you have determined the date and time of your event, register to add it to our online map of cleanups nationwide. This will allow people to find and participate in your cleanup. (Events can also be marked private.) In addition, events that are registered four weeks before their date will receive free trash bags and other day-of materials.

Recruit Volunteers

The more people at your event, the greater your impact can be.

Who Can Help?

Anyone and everyone. Most volunteers should expect to be able to walk and/or boat along a riverbank or beach and pick up litter, however there are many jobs that do not require significant physical activity. These include handing out supplies, on-site registration, organizing lunch, and volunteer outreach. Encourage everyone, regardless of ability or age, to participate in the manner in which they feel most comfortable.

Start promoting the cleanup in your community by:

• Posting fliers on all local community boards. Look for them at libraries, grocery stores, coffee shops, high schools, dorms, etc. Reaching out to all types of retail outlets to post your event information in their store.
• Contact your local farmers market and ask for permission to sign-up volunteers for your cleanup during market hours.
• Asking friends, families, neighbors, co-workers, community groups, local scout troops, schools, and environmental organizations to get involved.
• Asking outdoors clubs such as hiking, bird watching, climbing, paddling, to get involved and spread the word to their members.
• Enlisting boat owners to join your team and pick up litter further out in the depths of the water.
• Post a cleanup “blurb” on area online calendar of events, daily newspapers, free weeklies, neighborhood listserves and city blogs. Be aware that these deadlines vary.

When you register with American Rivers your cleanup will be posted on the interactive National River Cleanup map, given its very own online volunteer registration webpage where your cleanup information will be posted, volunteers in your area can register for your event, and you can communicate with registered volunteers.

Patrocinadores de la comunidad

Una forma de obtener publicidad en la comunidad y reducir el costo de la limpieza de un río es asociarse con empresas locales para patrocinar la limpieza de su río. La tienda de equipos de tu área puede ser una primera opción obvia, pero hay maneras para que se involucren todo tipo de negocios en la ciudad. El patrocinio puede variar desde obsequios financieros hasta una amplia variedad de donaciones en especie, incluida la donación de botes para el evento, la compra de camisetas, el suministro de artículos de limpieza como guantes, el almuerzo o refrigerios para los voluntarios o la ayuda para cubrir los costos de eliminación de desechos y desecho. Tu empresa local puede beneficiarse de la publicidad que recibirá en el evento y puede brindarles a tus empleados la oportunidad de registrarse y ser voluntarios en la limpieza.

¡Ofrece colocar el logo del patrocinador en tu volante y asegúrate de agradecerles por su apoyo el día de la limpieza!

Publicita tu limpieza

Atraer la atención de los medios puede ser muy beneficioso para tu limpieza, especialmente mientras te preparas para involucrar a la comunidad. La atención de los medios ayudará a crear conciencia y atraer a más voluntarios.

A medida que planifiques tu campaña de divulgación en los medios, aquí hay algunas cosas que debes tener en cuenta:

• American Rivers proporciona una plantilla de comunicado de prensa que puede personalizar y enviar por correo electrónico
• a los reporteros y blogueros que pueden cubrir tu evento. Visite www.AmericanRivers.org/Cleanup para descargar una plantilla de comunicado de prensa. Si tienes una página web de eventos o una página de Facebook, incluye un enlace a tu evento.
• Invita a periodistas y blogueros a asistir al evento.
• Menciona a los patrocinadores y/o políticos que puedan asistir.
• Anima a tus asistentes a publicar información sobre tu evento en sus redes sociales y a publicar en vivo o twittear durante el evento.
• Guarda copias de todos los medios que recibas. Podrás utilizarlos el año siguiente para ayudar a asegurar patrocinios y animar a los funcionarios electos a participar.

Invitar a funcionarios electos

Invitar a funcionarios electos es una excelente manera de llamar la atención sobre el río y resaltar su importancia para tu comunidad. Visita www.AmericanRivers.org/Cleanup para descargar una invitación de muestra.

• Invita al alcalde, a sus representantes en el Congreso u otras personas que puedan atraer a una multitud para que hablen brevemente durante tus comentarios de apertura y presentación y/o para que se unan a la limpieza.
• Asegúrate de fijar una hora específica con tus programadores y proporciona los detalles que necesiten.
• Asegúrate de incluir en tu comunicado de prensa si un miembro del Congreso, del gobierno o un funcionario electo planea asistir a tu limpieza. Puedes trabajar con la oficina de prensa del funcionario, así como obtener ayuda de American Rivers.

Plan para celebrar

Ofrecer un almuerzo durante o después de tu evento es una excelente manera de agradecer a tus voluntarios y crear camaradería. Si eliges incluir el almuerzo en tu evento, pídele a un restaurante local o a una tienda de comestibles que patrocine tu limpieza donando almuerzos y refrigerios para los participantes. Lo alentamos a trabajar con restaurantes que apoyen a los agricultores locales, lo que reduce la huella de carbono. Si no puedes proporcionar alimentos, pero aún deseas brindar una experiencia de almuerzo, anima a los voluntarios a traer un almuerzo en bolsa.

Preparar la eliminación de residuos

Las bolsas de basura gratuitas de American Rivers se entregarán al menos dos semanas antes de tu evento si te registras con cuatro semanas de anticipación. Si no necesitas bolsas de basura de American Rivers, regístrate en American Rivers y comparte tus datos de limpieza.

Recolección de basura

Al menos 4 semanas antes de la limpieza, comunícate con tu empresa local de gestión de residuos. Cuéntales sobre tu proyecto y explícales que es un esfuerzo de servicio comunitario voluntario.

Pregunta a tu contacto:

• Si la empresa estaría dispuesta a patrocinar el esfuerzo de llevarse la basura gratis o a un precio con descuento.
• Cuál es la eliminación adecuada y el costo de materiales especiales/peligrosos como baterías, llantas o contenedores de productos químicos.
• Si reciclan. Si no lo hacen, comunícate también con los transportistas locales de reciclaje.

Cleanup Day

Supply checklist

• Trash Bags - Regular trash bags are provided by American Rivers if you register four weeks in advance. Trash Bags for recyclable items will need to be purchased locally or donated.
• Gloves - Volunteers can bring their own, or local groups or businesses may donate. It is a good idea to have a few extra pairs the day of the event. American Rivers recommends gloves with a plastic or rubber coated palm for safety and easy gripping when wet.
• Liability Waiver - Bring as many copies as there are expected volunteers
• Trash Grabbers (optional) - Some volunteers find plastic trash pickers or “grabbers” helpful in reaching difficult areas, and to prevent excessive bending and stooping. Avoid the steel-tipped, piercing variety if children are present.
• Empty laundry detergent container to be used as a “sharps” container
• First Aid Kit - It is imperative to have a First Aid Kit at all volunteer events. They can be purchased cheaply at any drugstore. It’s also helpful to identify any members of your group who may have first aid, CPR or first responder training.
• Reflectors or vests (optional)
• Table for volunteer check-in and supplies
• Volunteer sign-in sheet - check resources section

What should volunteers bring

• Clothes that can get dirty or wet
• Sturdy shoes (no sandals or flip-flops)
• Long pants or high boots to avoid scratches
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Hand sanitizer

Before you leave for the cleanup site

• Check the weather for the day and the water levels to make sure it is still safe for volunteers.
• Make sure you have everything from your checklist.
• Fully charge your cell phone. Volunteers, reporters, VIPs and vendors may need to reach you throughout the day.
• Confirm the location/arrival of food and supplies.
• Confirm the arrival of trash collectors and caterers.

Arrival and Set-up

• Arrive at least one hour before the scheduled start time. Plan ahead to have a few volunteers meet you there to help set up. Post directional signs for the event.
• Set up a check-in table with volunteer sign-in sheets.
• Have each participant sign a liability waiver as they arrive.
• If you are collecting both trash and recyclables, make sure each volunteer has a bag for each.
• Take a final look for potential safety hazards. Block off areas as necessary.
• Station volunteer(s) at the put in and take out area(s) to assist boaters (if applicable).
• Take before pictures so you can see the results of all your hard work!

Cleanup Kickoff

Opening remarks are a great way thank everybody that is involved and to get your volunteers excited. This is also the time to provide direction and any final safety tips. You're now ready to kick off your. community river cleanup! Be sure to take plenty of photos and videos and enjoy the day!