Volunteers join forces for annual Neponset cleanup

Volunteers clean up debris from the river in Canton. (NepRWA photo)

The Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) and a coalition of regional partners came together for a very successful fall cleanup event at sites throughout the watershed on Saturday, September 19.

Community volunteers gathered at 11 watershed locations across Canton, Dedham, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Milton, Norwood, Quincy, and Walpole to clear litter, debris, and invasive plants from local parks, greenways, and riverbanks.

In total, volunteers collected 164 bags of trash along with several large, unusual discarded items, ranging from car bumpers and tractor wheels to electronics. In Walpole, volunteers also removed four truckloads of invasive Japanese knotweed.

NepRWA, which is based in Canton, works to improve green spaces and water quality by removing trash and debris, restoring native vegetation, and supporting the overall health of the Neponset River Watershed.

“It’s always great to see so many people from the community coming out to clean up the Neponset River,” said Sean McCanty, NepRWA’s river restoration director. “Doing this for as many years as NepRWA has shows both the cumulative benefit and the importance of maintenance. We’re seeing fewer huge items like abandoned car parts, lumber, and scrap metal, but still manage to pull out tons of plastic, garbage, and cans that would otherwise make it into the river, hurting fish and wildlife.”

NepRWA would like to thank this year’s cleanup sponsors and partners, including Barletta, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Mass. Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), Belnel Neighborhood Association, Friends of the Boston Harborwalk, Keep Canton Beautiful, Canton Walk, Bike & Hike Committee, the Neponset River Greenway Council, and the Milton and Walpole DPWs.

To make a donation to help offset the cost of the cleanup, go to neponset.org/donate. For more information, contact Environmental Science Fellow Paloma Silva-Navarro at silva-navarro@neponset.org or 781-575-0354 ext. 310.

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