Volunteers needed for annual cleanup of the Clinton River Watershed

Just last year in 2019, volunteers removed more than 4,000 pounds of trash from the Clinton River and its watershed.

The Clinton River Watershed Council is hoping to repeat last year’s success with the 18th annual Clinton Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 21. The council will supply volunteers with t-shirts, bags, gloves, waders, and trash grabbers.

The Clinton River Watershed is a vast network of waterways that spans four counties, reaching Lake St. Clair. That’s 760 sq. miles and 72 communities across southeastern Michigan.

"Everything we do on the land affects water quality. Picking up trash is one thing we can do to help make sure our local freshwaters are healthy and clean," says Kathleen Sexton, program manager for the CRWC.

"Individual and community actions protect and improve the health of the Clinton River, assuring that its natural, economic and recreational value enhances the quality of life of those who live, work, and play in the Clinton River watershed and Lake St. Clair."

Most events are planned for Saturday, Sept. 21, they include:

• City of Auburn Hills Cleanup at River Woods Park
• Paddle Cleanup at Budd Park in Clinton Township
• City of Rochester Hills Cleanup at the Riverwalk and Clinton River Trail
• Kayak Cleanup in Waterford at Clinton River Launch Site
• Sierra Club Rochester Ecos Cleanup at Giddings and Perry roads
• Depot Park Cleanup in Clarkston
• Cleanup at MacArthur Park in Mt. Clemens
• Cleanup at Shadyside Park in Mt. Clemens
• Clinton River Trail Cleanup at Eagles Landing in Rochester Hills

 Additional events include:

• Cleanup at Hawthorne Park, Pontiac, Thursday, Sept. 19. Volunteers are challenged with filling a three cubic yard bag with refuse
• Clinton River Trash Run, Sterling Heights, Friday, Sept. 20. Kayak and canoe down the Clinton River, picking up refuse along the way