Chattahoochee RiverkeeperVolunteer Cleanups
Volunteer your time and help work toward a Trash-Free Chattahoochee!
Volunteers joining public cleanups of rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands · We host 1-2 public cleanups a month. Most cleanups are generally between the hours of 9 am to 12 pm (land) and 9 am to 3 pm (paddle). Registration opens about t · Free
From chattahoochee.org/cleanups ↗About this program
Our waterways provide us with fresh drinking water, recreational opportunities like canoeing and fishing, and respite from our busy day-to-day lives. Join our work to protect this precious resource by volunteering to help clean our rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands.
In 2025, we hosted 39 cleanups and removed more than 72 tons of litter with the help of more than 2,500 volunteers – but we still need your help!
Take a look at what we've accomplished since launching our Trash-Free Chattahoochee initiative 16 years ago.
We host 1-2 public cleanups a month and it is free to participate. Registration is required, and we encourage you to register early, as each trip has a limited capacity. Optional donations are appreciated to help us continue our efforts to host cleanups. All volunteers receive a one-year membership to Chattahoochee Riverkeeper!
Based on the amount of rainfall throughout the year, trash is constantly on the move. To ensure each event will be an effective cleanup, we do not decide project locations until two weeks prior, at which point we distribute the location to registered volunteers. Most cleanups are within a 20-mile radius of metro Atlanta and are generally between the hours of 9 am to 12 pm (land) and 9 am to 3 pm (paddle).
Questions
Is there a cost to participate in a public cleanup?
There is no charge to participate in a public cleanup. Registration is required, and we encourage you to register early, as each trip has a limited capacity.
Do participants receive anything for volunteering?
Participants receive a one-year individual CRK membership.
Why don't we post the location?
Based on the amount of rainfall throughout the year, trash is constantly on the move. To ensure each event will be an effective cleanup, we do not decide project locations until two weeks prior, at which point we distribute the location to registered volunteers.
What are the youth age requirements for paddle cleanups?
If paddling solo, paddler must be at least 15 years old and accompanied by a parent/guardian. If paddling tandem, youth must be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by an adult at least 21 years.
What physical requirements apply to paddle cleanups?
All participants must be able to swim competently. All participants must be able to get in and out of a kayak/canoe unassisted (i.e., those with knee or back injuries may have difficulty).
Details
- Who
- Volunteers joining public cleanups of rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands
- When
- We host 1-2 public cleanups a month. Most cleanups are generally between the hours of 9 am to 12 pm (land) and 9 am to 3 pm (paddle). Registration opens about t
- Where
- Most cleanups are within a 20-mile radius of metro Atlanta; the exact location is distributed to registered volunteers two weeks prior
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Minimum 10 years of age for land-based cleanups; paddlers must be at least 15 years old if paddling solo
Run by
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Water Warriors on Campus & on Summer BreakWater Warriors on Campus equips high school and college students to engage their peers on the importance of water conservation and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s mission.
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