The river system provides critical habitat for all sorts of animals from migratory birds to beavers, mink, turtles and over 75 species of fish. It's health is rebounding after years of abuse, but litter remains a stubborn problem. Every year since 1992, Friends of the Chicago River and our amazing volunteers give the Chicago and Calumet Rivers a good spring cleaning on Chicago River Day, part of our effort to create a Litter Free Chicago River.

From Lake County to Calumet, we work together at parks, forest preserves, neighborhood blocks, and businesses to improve the health of the watershed by removing harmful and ugly litter, to immediately improve our environment for people, plants and animals. Studies show areas without litter deter future littering, so one of the most important ways to deter littering is to clean it up. We have made progress over the last 30 years, some sites have less litter than they used to so instead we improve the site through trail maintenance or by removing invasive plants. Won't you join us? Care for your neighborhood park or consider going on an adventure to a new part of the river. We always have fun, get inspired by fellow volunteers, and see the positive impact we make when we work together.

Advance Registration is Requested. Volunteers who register before May 6th will receive a commemorative thank you T-Shirt. Registration is open until a site is at capacity. Individual registration is required as waivers are signed for most locations as a part of registration, additional waivers may be required the day of the event. Children eight and up are eligible to volunteer (although we leave this decision ultimately to the parents). Minors need a parent or guardian to register them. Younger family members are welcome to observe provided they are supervised.

Click here for complete details and registration.