Join the Many Volunteers Signing Up for Chicago River Day

Momentum is building for the 30th annual Chicago River Day on Saturday, May 14. With over 70 sites along the river system open for registration, excited volunteers are mobilizing for Friends’ large-scale spring litter cleanup and restoration event. 

With the support of 30 sponsors and a half dozen organizational partners from the City of Chicago, Cook County, and Lake County, volunteers will fan out from Lake County to the Calumet region and southwest to Summit, Palos and beyond to pick up trash and remove invasive plant material.

Register Now!

“We are about one month away from Chicago River Day and registration is off to a strong start,” said Annette Anderson, Friends’ volunteer, events, and canoe program manager. “There are already over 700 people registered, a third of the way to our goal of 2,000 volunteers! Over the last two years, people turned to our public lands to absorb the health benefits of nature; I think that’s why so many people have a new appreciation of how critical our natural resources are to our quality of life and are stepping up to help take care of them. Registration at some sites is already full, so register as soon as possible and we’ll see you by the river next month.”

While the overall health of the Chicago River system continues to improve, litter remains a stubborn problem, particularly litter from take-out food and single-use plastics. Since Chicago River Day began in 1992, volunteers have carted off an epic 1.9 million pounds of garbage and invasive plant material from the 156-mile Chicago River system.

The three-hour litter cleanup event kicks off at 9 a.m., and runs to 12 noon. Registration is required.