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The Tireless Project - Riverbank Cleanup
Our primary water-based cleanup program, The Tireless Project, is aimed at getting Allegheny County residents engaged with the local rivers and streams through cleaning up debris that accumulates along the shorelines. Using our 28-foot pontoon boat, Rachel Carson, and our barge, the Plastic Magnet 1, our team works with volunteers to remove trash and educates them about issues affecting our waterways. Because the rivers are a key feature of Allegheny County, partner organizations often join the cleanups and do other work such as invasive species removal, tree/flower planting, trail maintenance, litter pickup, etc. These family-friendly cleanups are great opportunities to connect with and learn about the health of the region’s rivers and streams. The waterways of Allegheny County have undergone significant changes in the 18 years that our riverfront cleanup program has been working. The early years of our program were spent removing large debris, like tires and appliances, from the riverbanks. While we still remove tires, metals, and even the occasional mattress, we are seeing a huge increase in plastic pollution, especially single-use plastic bottles, food wrappers, polystyrene pieces, and barrels. The influx of single-use plastics in our waterways is primarily connected to on-land litter entering our storm drains and then being dumped into the river during heavy rain events via combined sewer overflows (CSOs). Our rivers and streams are incredible resources to our region. Our goal is to get residents actively engaged with the waterways in their own back yard as a way of learning more about their community. We hope that by doing so they will become lifelong caretakers of the waterways and will work to protect and sustain them for future generations. What does a riverfront cleanup look like?
Running from April through October, our riverbank cleanups can range from light work to strenuous work and is often family-friendly. Most cleanups last less than 3 hours and refreshments are often provided. All of our riverfront cleanup participants are provided with an in-depth safety talk and all necessary safety gear, including gloves and life jackets. Volunteers then board the Rachel Carson, and are taken to various spots on the riverbanks to remove trash. What do I need to participate?
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River of Focus
Each year we select a river of focus. We cycle between the Ohio, Monongahela, and the Allegheny Rivers. Our river of focus for 2022 is the Allegheny River. This means that we will be cleaning the entire Allegheny County portion of it during our annual cleanup series on our river of focus. Our crew spends two weeks living on the river of focus conducting daily cleanups with volunteers from the communities on the river.
Each year we select a river of focus. We cycle between the Ohio, Monongahela, and the Allegheny Rivers. Our river of focus for 2022 is the Allegheny River. This means that we will be cleaning the entire Allegheny County portion of it during our annual cleanup series on our river of focus. Our crew spends two weeks living on the river of focus conducting daily cleanups with volunteers from the communities on the river.
Creek and Stream Cleanups
Working with a variety of partners, including the network of watershed organizations in Allegheny County, we are able to help organize and/or lead creek and stream cleanups. The link below provides more information.
Working with a variety of partners, including the network of watershed organizations in Allegheny County, we are able to help organize and/or lead creek and stream cleanups. The link below provides more information.
