Project Clean Stream (PCS) is one of the longest-standing Alliance initiatives. It began in 2002, and since tens of thousands of volunteers have helped pick up trash in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Volunteers are empowered with the agency to lead their stream cleanups and build a stronger sense of place in their communities.

The Alliance kicks off PCS every spring and fall. This season, we held three events, with a fourth planned for Friday, October 6. Below is a recap of our events and a link to register for our cleanup on the water in Washington, DC.

York, PA

We had 7 volunteers attend our cleanup at John C. Rudy Park in York County. We picked up an estimated 150 pounds of trash, including three tires! Highlights also included finding some cool animal bones, a large Sycamore tree, and a small snapping turtle needing to move away from the road. The weather was beautiful, and the team spirit was high.

A volunteer safety moves a turtle from its proximity to the road.

Cathleen, the site captain for this event, measures a large Sycamore tree while collecting trash.

Richmond, VA

We had a committed group join us in the Manchester neighborhood in Richmond, VA. Collectively, we picked up 225 pounds of trash including a plushy!

A Richmond group photo with the 15 bags of trash collected.

We always enjoy a strange trash find!

Baltimore, MD

In Maryland, we partnered with Bowie State University and Coppin State University to clean up both Jones Falls Trail and Horseshoe Falls. 13 volunteers joined us in collecting 225 pounds of trash! We learned some quick trash facts (did you know it takes 450-500 years for a plastic bottle to decompose if not recycled properly?) and planned for future events together.

Students collecting trash along the Jones Falls Trail in Baltimore, MD.

Plastic bottles, styrofoam, and glass dumped along the Horseshoe Falls waterway.

Washington, D.C.

There is one more opportunity to celebrate the kick-off of Project Clean Stream. Due to weather, the Alliance postponed our Washington, D.C. PCS event to Friday, October 6. We partnered with Boating in DC so we can experience paddling on the Potomac while helping clean trash and debris from the local waterway. For more information and to register today, click here.

If you can’t make our next cleanup, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with Project Clean Steam. Click here to find more events or create a cleanup of your own!