American Rivers Kicks Off National River Cleanup® Season

May 24, 2014

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(Washington, DC) – American Rivers, the nation’s leading voice for healthy rivers and clean water, today announced the 2014 kickoff of National River Cleanup®, a program that mobilizes volunteers across the country to clean up trash from local rivers and streams. Thanks to National River Cleanup, more than 1 million volunteers have removed 17 million pounds of litter and debris from waterways across America over the past 20 years.

Healthy rivers provide benefits like clean drinking water, habitat for fish and wildlife, and opportunities for fishing, boating, and other recreation. Communities nationwide are protecting and restoring their rivers to improve economic growth and quality of life. Unfortunately, millions of tons of trash, such as plastic bags, old appliances and tires, ends up in our rivers and streams each year. River cleanups help turn forgotten streams into community assets once again.

“National River Cleanup provides an excellent opportunity for children and adults to give back to their communities and help their local rivers,” said Peter Roquemore, National River Cleanup campaign manager for American Rivers. “River cleanup volunteers often go on to become lifelong stewards of their local waterways.” To learn more about National River Cleanup, find a river cleanup near you, or organize your own cleanup, visit www.americanrivers.org/make-an-impact/national-river-cleanup/

The National River Cleanup Program is sponsored by Cox Enterprises, Keurig Green Mountain and REI. These companies have made a long-term commitment to American Rivers’ work to protect and restore rivers across the country.

About American Rivers

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers, and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.