Above / DuPage River Sweep celebrates 25 years of garbage cleanup from area waterways, including neighborhood retention and natural ponds. (Photo courtesy The Conservation Foundation)
Nearly 11,000 volunteers have participated in the DuPage River Sweep since it began in 1991, cleaning the county’s rivers and streams of more than 251 tons — yes, tons — of garbage including rusty bicycles, car bumpers, hubcaps, and glass bottles.
This year’s River Sweep is slated from 9AM to noon on Sat., May 21, marking the 25th anniversary of this monumental effort by area residents giving their time to improve waterways in their neighborhoods.
“We have families, schools, and scouting groups that come out in all kinds of weather to pick garbage off the riverbank and out of the water,” DuPage County Program Director Jan Roehll, said. “Last year, we cleaned up about six tons of garbage along 97 miles of the West Branch, East Branch, and Salt Creek.”
The Conservation Foundation organizes this annual event with the help of the DuPage County Stormwater Management Department, Waste Management, and a grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Roehll said the Sweep is made possible by generous donations from local supporters who provide dumpsters, water donations for the volunteers, as well as technical support, snacks, and trash pokers for volunteers to complete their work.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and numerous park districts also help by removing the trash that is collected.
Cleanup isn’t restricted to the county’s major waterways, but also includes neighborhood detention and natural ponds that need care. In 2009, the Sweep was expanded to include restoration of natural areas near the waterways.
Volunteers Welcome!
Since its inception, volunteers have helped remove invasive species such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, and garlic mustard from more than 18 acres of woodlands and wetlands.
For a list of community contacts in your area and to register for this year’s DuPage River Sweep, go to theconservationfoundation.org/sweep. Download the brochure and printable registration form here.
The Conservation Foundation
The Conservation Foundation, headquartered in Naperville, is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations. Since it was founded in 1972, TCF has helped preserve nearly 33,000 acres of open space, restored and cleaned miles of rivers and streams, and educated thousands of kids by engaging them in nature and the outdoors.
Work is focused in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties to preserve and restore nature in your neighborhood. Find out more at theconservationfoundation.org.
News submitted by Sandy Kaczmarski for The Conservation Foundation.
