2023 Charles River Cleanup Seeks Volunteers

MILFORD, MA — An annual Charles River cleanup event is seeking volunteers.

The 2023 cleanup along the entire length of the Charles from its start at Echo Lake near the Milford-Hopkinton line to its end in Boston (and along the Muddy River tributary) will take place on Earth Day, April 22. Volunteers will head to the banks of the river to remove trash, debris and who knows what else.

The annual cleanup has been sponsored by several Charles River conservation groups since 1999. To date, volunteers have removed more than 32.5 million pounds of trash from the river and its banks. The river flows through 23 towns before dumping into Boston Harbor.

"Litter not only poses a threat to the environment but also makes the parks less welcoming. Through this important annual event, thousands of pounds of trash are removed from the parks and shoreline. Volunteers are able to see first-hand their impact upon the environment, all while fostering a connection to their community and urban parks," Charles River Conservancy Executive Director Laura Jasinski said.

Volunteers can sign up for the event on the conservancy website. The nonprofit requests a $5 donation to participate for individuals, small donations from schools and nonprofits, and donations starting at $1,500 for corporate groups.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the group organizing the cleanup. It is a joint effort between the Charles River Conservancy, the Charles River Watershed Association, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the Esplanade Association and Waltham Land Trust.