WHAT IS THE VIRGINIA WATERWAYS CLEANUP?
The Virginia Waterways Cleanup is an annual beach and inland
waterway cleanup, and is one of Virginia's largest volunteer events. It
is held between September 1 and October 31 every year. In 2011, more
than 6,000 volunteers removed more than 295,000 pounds of trash and
recyclables from our beaches, lakes, and waterways. Our statewide
cleanup events are also part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC),
organized by Ocean Conservancy. The ICC is one of the largest volunteer
events in the world.
WHO ORGANIZES THE VIRGINIA WATERWAYS CLEANUP?
Clean Virginia
Waterways (affiliated with Longwood University and Ocean
Conservancy) has organized this annual volunteer event since 1995! CVW works with dozens of local partners all over the state,
including schools, businesses, local governments, parks and Soil and
Water Conservation Districts.
WHY ARE BEACH & RIVER CLEANUPS IMPORTANT?
Trash and debris enter our waterways via stormdrains. This debris,
if not removed, can be harmful and even fatal to fish, turtles, birds
and other wildlife. It can damage our state's economy, and can even
become a human health hazard. While it is critical that we prevent plastic and litter from entering our waterways, it is also important that we remove as much as possible. The Virginia Waterways Cleanup is a great
way for families, students, service groups, and neighbors to join
together, take care of our fragile aquatic and marine environments, show
community support for our shared natural resources, learn about the
impacts of marine debris and how we can prevent them, and to have fun!
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
Participating is easy! Find a site, signup, then show up and help cleanup!
Be part of the solution to marine pollution! Join us in 2012 as a
volunteer or as a Site Captain. Teachers participating with their
classes, please see CVW's Educators' Guide to Meaningful River and Beach Cleanup Events.
CVW is
committed to eliminating the waste created at these cleanups. Please
join our efforts! "Bring Your Own" reusable supplies to the Cleanup including plastic shopping bags.
Learn about plastic pollution. View this brief summary of the issue by Discovery News, which explores the problem of plastic ocean debris and helps explain some of the reasons why the Virginia Waterways Cleanup is so important.