11th Annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup

The 11th annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup is approaching. The event will be hosted by WMEAC and will take place on the morning of September 20th at Sixth Street Park in Grand Rapids. During this cleanup volunteers will clean up the riverbanks, streams, and other water networks of the Grand River. This is an excellent opportunity to make new friends and conserve West Michigan’s most precious resource: water.

 

Over the past decade, thousands of volunteers have helped pick up more than 120,000 pounds of refuse from the banks of the Grand River and its tributaries. This year, with the influx of new volunteers, WMEAC expects the scope of the event will continue to grow.

 

“With the huge amount of community support we have seen over the past decade, we continue to grow the event in order to keep our volunteers busy.” said Becky Brown, WMEAC Water Programs Outreach Coordinator.

 

The Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup will also feature education about how those who live in the Grand River watershed can help keep the river clean every day—without having to put on waders.

 

“It is not just trash that is polluting the Grand River. There is stormwater pollution flowing into our streams that is causing even more damage than the bags of trash.” said Rachel Hood, WMEAC Executive Director. “We hope this event will be able to showcase how all the communities around the Grand River can work together every day to keep the Grand River clean.”

 

The event began in 2003 with a few dozen WMEAC volunteers and Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell cleaning up the riverbank in downtown Grand Rapids. After over a decade of official cleanups, it is now one of the largest river clean ups in the Midwest.

 

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll, Walker Mayor Mark Huizenga and Grandville Mayor Steve Maas will join Mayor Heartwell to host the event. The clean up will span more than 40 riverbank miles in the communities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Plainfield Township, Walker and Wyoming.

 

The event will, like last year, feature an after party sponsored by Founders Brewing Company with local craft beer and live music.

 

There are three ways in which you can volunteer:

 

• You can be a Site Leader.

• You can be a Headquarters Team Member.

• You can be a General Volunteer.

 

For more information on how to volunteer and the Mayors' Grand River Cleanup visit the WMEAC Blog, to find out important information about training for Site Leaders. If you are looking for even more information feel free to contact Becky Brown at  [email protected] or 616-451-3051, ext 26.

 

Register now for the 11th Annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup.