Thank you to the 2024 Chicago River Day Site Captains, volunteers, partners and sponsors! We made a huge impact improving the health of the river, with over 2,400 volunteers, spanning 87 sites, to remove litter and invasive plants, spruce up trails and mulch trees. 

Here are a few of the many fantastic stories about the day in our local media: 

WTTW - The Annual Chicago River Day Cleanup is Saturday

ABC - Thousands of volunteers participate in clean-up for 32nd Chicago River Day

Chicago Tribune - Tiny pieces of plastic pose one of the biggest threats to Chicago River wildlife and water quality

The Chicago-Calumet River system is healthier now than it’s been in 150 years, providing critical habitat for all sorts of animals from migratory birds to beavers, turtles and over 75 species of fish. But litter continues to be detrimental, harming people and wildlife and causing negative community, economic, and public health impacts. 

Every year since 1992, thousands of volunteers come together on Chicago River Day to remove litter and care for river-adjacent lands. You can make a difference by volunteering at this fun, free, family-friendly annual stewardship day. Chicago River Day is the flagship event for Friends Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative, which works to reduce the amount of trash harming our watershed. Every participant will need to register individually, as volunteers are agreeing to the required waivers for the site as a part of registration.

~ Save the Date ~

 33rd Annual Chicago River Day

May 10, 2025 ~ 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Registration opens Spring 2025

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Friends of the Chicago River invites you to sponsor this cherished watershed-wide community cleanup. Your sponsorship support allows Chicago River Day to be free and accessible for everyone, ensuring all volunteers have the support and supplies for a successful cleanup. Become a Sponsor

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors

Listen to the WBEZ story on last years event here: WBEZ Features Chicago River Day.

Interested in helping clean up throughout the year? Check out other Litter Free opportunities here.

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Litter is one of the most persistant environmental problems we face. Working together with amazing friends, members, volunteers, partners like Shedd Aquarium, Waste Management, and Loyola University's Dr. Tim Hoellein, and the visionary steadfast support of the Mars Wrigley Foundation, we can create a Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River system.