Grab Your Gloves And Join The Cleanup Crew: Annual River Sweep Helps Keep The Susquehanna Clean

HAVRE DE GRACE - The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway’s 23rd annual River Sweep will take place this Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, in Havre de Grace, Conowingo, Perryville, Port Deposit, Charlestown, and on Garrett Island.

Since 2000, volunteers have gathered to clean up the lower Susquehanna’s riverbanks in celebration of Earth Day. Last year, over 225 volunteers removed more than 10 tons of trash and debris from the Susquehanna, finding items such as a full propane tank, an oven door, and a wallet containing British pounds and an Air Force ID.

Volunteers come from all walks of life; past participants have included youth groups, students, environmental clubs, green teams, Scouts, families, and passionate individuals.

This year’s cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Earth Day, and check-in at the meeting locations will begin at 8:30 a.m. Those looking to volunteer are asked to register on the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway’s website.

This year’s check-in locations in Harford County are:

• Tydings Park, gazebo at Commerce Street, Havre de Grace.
• Susquehanna State Park, Deer Creek trestle bridge parking lot Stafford Road, Havre de Grace.
• Swan Harbor Farm, 401 Oakington Road, Havre de Grace.

Check-in locations in Cecil County can be found here.

Participants will spend the morning pulling trash and debris from local waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay, Susquehanna River, North East River, and area tributaries.

A cleanup effort will also occur on Garrett Island between Havre de Grace and Perryville. Participants interested in volunteering on the island should bring their kayaks and canoes. The meeting place for the Garrett Island cleanup will be at the Boat Launch in Perryville.

All river sweep volunteers are advised to wear old clothes and shoes (that can get wet) and bring work gloves.

This year’s event sponsors include: Constellation, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Keep Maryland Beautiful, Maryland Environmental Trust, Forever Maryland, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and Maryland Department of Transportation.

Community partners include Cecil County, Charlestown, Harford County, Havre de Grace, Perryville, Port Deposit, and Susquehanna State Park.

For more information, you can email info@upperbaytrails.com or call 410-457-2482.