The Charles River Cleanup is one of the largest Earth Day Cleanups in the country! Join us in protecting and preserving the river in April 2023.
JOIN US IN 2023
The 24th Annual Charles River Cleanup will be held on Friday, April 21st and Saturday, April 22nd, 2023.
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Visit our Registration page to learn more on how to register for different cleanup events in 2023 hosted by participating organizations.
2023 Charles River Cleanup Map
Please see the map below to view different volunteer site locations for our 2023 cleanup. Each section of the 2023 Charles River Cleanup map identifies specific cleanup locations hosted by the different organizations associated with this year's cleanup.
Volunteer Engagement Fees
Coordinating the Charles River Cleanup has both operational and material costs for the Cleanup’s program partners. Because of this, we ask our corporate and for-profit volunteer groups to support our management of this great event with a tax-deductible donation to the organization hosting your work site. This mandatory fee is based on the size of your group. Additionally, we ask for a small suggested donation from individual and non-profit participants to assist with event costs.
Corporate Groups
Groups of 10-25 = $1,500
Groups of 25-50 = $2,000
Groups of 50-75 = $2,500
Groups of 75-100 = $3,000
Groups of 100+ = Please Inquire
Non-Profits and Schools
We suggest a small donation for non-profits and schools to help support the execution of this day. Please inquire with your host site for more information.
Individuals
Individuals who would like to participate alone or with friends and family are more than welcome! We suggest a donation of $5 per person to participate.
*If you have a group that is interested in participating and these levels are too high for you, we do not want to deter you from joining us this year! Please reach out to the Cleanup Coordinator in your chosen region to discuss participation.
**If you are a non-profit or community group, we suggest a donation of $5 per person.
History of the Charles River Cleanup
The Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup was started by the Charles River Watershed Association in 1999, in an effort to clean-up the river. It builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup®, which to date, has removed over 25 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways. From 2016 to 2019, the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup was recognized by American Rivers for the Most Pounds of Trash Collected and Most Volunteers Mobilized.​
Our Cleanup brings together over 3,500 volunteers each year to pick up litter, remove invasive species, and assist with park maintenance along all 80 miles of the Charles River and the 1,100 acres of Emerald Necklace park land surrounding the Muddy River. Residents are drawn to the popular Charles River Cleanup from a desire to give back to their community while enjoying the beauty and wildlife along the river. Volunteers hold onto the connections they establish during this day of stewardship by returning to the Charles and Muddy Rivers to exercise, play, and enjoy nature throughout the year.
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Program Partners
The Charles River Cleanup is made possible by the following organizations:
