Allegheny River Clean-up

Upcoming Clean-ups

Allegheny River

 

The 2024 (16th Annual) Allegheny River Clean-up will take place from Thursday, September 12th until Saturday, September 14th, 2024. This year we're planning to spend all 3 days on the Allegheny River (2017 & 2024 Pennsylvania River of the Year). Just think of it, spending 3 days making these beautiful resources even more spectacular!

If you're interested in participating in one of the premier "community conservation events" in the region, visit the FAQ page, and then head over to the Volunteer page to sign up!

Volunteers should bring:

  • Rain Gear-the cleanup will be completed rain or shine.
  • Layered Clothing-Individuals come prepared for a range of weather conditions, which can change rapidly in northwestern Pennsylvania.
  • Food & Water-Individuals are responsible for bringing their own lunch and snacks.
  • Refillable water bottle - you provide the bottle, we'll provide the water!

We look forward to another great time this year!

Getting involved as a volunteer is simple. Just follow these five easy steps:

STEP 1: Review the map below and read the corresponding descriptions. Choose the area(s) you'd like to focus on and head to the Volunteer page. You can also use the map to get directions to each of the beginning and ending points. You’ll need to know how many people are in your party in order to reserve your boats. Limited space is available so don’t delay. If you do not want to canoe, we still need shore helpers to help once the paddlers arrive. Please read below for more information.

STEP 2: Read through the "Safety" page and prepare for the clean-up accordingly. Everyone must complete a Release Agreement. You can download it here. Once you've downloaded it, print it out, complete it and BRING IT WITH YOU!!!

STEP 3: Be sure to show up on the right day and at the correct time and place designated for your trip. Please don’t be late as this can set off a wave of delays throughout the day. There is no cost for the shuttle or canoes. Volunteers will be provided with trash bags and gloves. Please be sure to bring a lunch and maybe even a snack (working and laughing tend to work up an appetite!)

STEP 4: Pick up trash as you paddle or walk to your designated pick-up spot downriver. Jet boat support will be provided when and where possible. When your boat is full of garbage, flag a jet boat to unload or land at a pre-arranged drop point. Be sure to document and nominate any interesting trash you find for the Most Treasured Trash Awards on Saturday.

Please note: All paddlers must be off the water by 3:00 pm so that the land crew can finish up their operations by no later than 5:00 pm.

STEP 6: As always, all volunteers are invited to our wrap-up party, the Volunteer Appreciation Event (River Riot), complete with free food, beverages, live music, and our annual "Trashy Awards" presentations. This free event will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 6:00. This year, Allegheny Outfitters and Bent Run Brewing Company will co-host the event at their adjacent storefronts on Clark Street in Warren. It'll be the same format, free food, adult beverages, and great music too!.

BE SURE TO INDICATE THAT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND!

The gathering will feature music, food and refreshments, and the Most Treasured Trash Awards. Please bring a chair. Come join in the fun!

*** If you are planning to attend (and we hope you will!!) please let us know how many folks will be in your group - Thanks!


View a Google Map of all of the launch points

Thursday, September 12, 2024 - Buckaloons to Wildwood Inn - 8 Miles - Meet at Wildwood Inn (7 miles north of Tidioute on Route 62) at 8:30 am for shuttle to Buckaloons. Volunteers should plan for it to take 5 to 6 hours. This portion of the clean-up will be the most intense because it includes Crulls (96 acres) and Thompsons (67 acres) Islands. These two islands account for roughly 65% of the island camping along the Allegheny River between Kinzua Dam and Tionesta.Volunteers will be briefed about island locations, trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. Click HERE to register.

Friday, September 13, 2024 - Wildwood to Tidioute Boat Ramp - 7.5 Miles - Meet at Tidioute Boat Launch at 8:30 am for shuttle to Wildwood. This portion of the river clean-up includes Courson Island, the federally designated wilderness island. Volunteers will be briefed about island locations, trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. NOTE: We have reached our capacity for this day. If you want to participate in this leg, you must provide your own boat and shuttling. Click HERE to register.

Saturday, September 14, 2024 - Allegheny Outfitters to Buckaloons - 7 Miles - Meet at Buckaloons Recreation Area (near the boat ramp) at 8:30 am for shuttle to Point Park in Warren, PA. Volunteers will be briefed about trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. Click HERE to register.