2024 Earth Day Cleanup

April 20 2024 | 10am-12pm
2024 Earth Day Cleanup
April 20 2024 | 10am-12pm
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Calling volunteers! It's time to register for the Anacostia River Earth Day Cleanup. Registration will be open until April 16th. Visit our site registration portal to choose your site and register.

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About Earth Day

Started by DC native Howard Gassaway of Seafarers Yacht Club in 1985, the annual Anacostia River Earth Day Cleanup is AWS's largest annual volunteer event, and one of the largest single-day volunteer events in the DMV. This event is a success thanks to all of our amazing community partners and leaders, as well as our corporate and small business sponsors. 

This year, join thousands of volunteers around the watershed to pick up trash, serve your community, and enjoy the Anacostia River. 

Site leader registration is now closed. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any questions. Existing site leader resources can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Y3VvFJeeYoioO40Iq4oUFy1QxRZ5NrDx?usp=sharing 

What to Expect

Event Date: April 20, 2024; 10:00am-12:00pm

  • Be prepared to get dirty, have fun, and help your community! When you arrive look for signs to check in.
  • Site leaders will brief you on basic safety measures to ensure that everyone has a safe, fun time. All tools and supplies needed will be provided during check in - no need to bring your own gloves unless you have a favorite pair.
  • This is a family friendly event and kids are welcome! However, all participants under 18 must also have completed registration.
  • If you are under 18, you will need a parent/guardian to digitally consent to your participation during registration.

Participant Requirements 

1. If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19 or any virus (such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, etc.), please do not come to the event and consider joining us another time.

2. Reservations: Pre-registration is requested. Registration will open March 4 2024. All registrations require each participant to complete our Event Waiver Form prior to participation.

3. AWS strives to make our events accessible to all members of our community. For this particular event, participants need to be comfortable with being out in the field, including potentially off marked paths or trails. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring a long-sleeved layer, as well as your own reusable water bottle. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. 

4. AWS strives to ensure a safe, community-driven space for all our events. AWS does not tolerate any form of harrassment, bullying, or discrimination at our volunteer events. By signing up for an event, you acknowledge our no-tolerance policy around harmful or discriminatory behavior. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to register to be a volunteer?

Yes! In order to volunteer at the 2023 Earth Day Cleanup, pre-registration is required for each individual via AWS’s website. This includes each participant completing our on-line waiver form with registration. Registration will remain open until end-of-day on Monday, April 16th, so please sign-up before then.

How do I know if my registration went through?

You will receive an confirmation email from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with more details from your site.

Can I just show up at one of the sites and start cleaning?

Most of our sites will accept a limited number of walk on volunteers. You will still need to fill out a waiver before you can participate in the event. Group walk-ons will be very challenging to accommodate. 

What should I bring?
  • Closed-toe shoes and long pants are a must. Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather (rain or shine!) and wear clothes you won't mind getting dirty.
  • A water bottle for yourself and any members of your family.
  • A small snack, if need be.
Can children participate in the AWS Earth Day Cleanup?

Yes! Please pay attention to the site information, because some sites are a little too burdensome for little hands. Sites that are not recommended for children are clearly marked on the map of volunteer sites. We trust that parents will make informed decisions about what is best for themselves and their families.

If my child volunteers, can they receive Service Learning Hours?

Yes! If you bring the paperwork, AWS site leaders and staff at your site will sign off on your child’s hours.

Great! So I can just drop off my kids at a site and pick them up at noon.

All volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 18. Everyone needs to register online.

Speaking of groups, I would like to volunteer with one! Is there a way to register 10 people at once?

Members of groups are strongly encouraged to sign up individually, but you can register for up to 10 slots in a single registration.  Groups of 10 or more should contact our Volunteer Manager, Emily Castelli at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve spots for your team. Please note that teams will have until March 29th to fulfill their reservation via their private link. Any slots unused after the 29th will be re-opened for public registration. 

Hey, the site I want to be at says that registration is closed! It’s the park right down the street from me! What’s up with that?

It is wonderful that so many volunteers participate in the AWS Earth Day Cleanup, and we plan to have as many people that each site needs to become cleaner. Sometimes these sites get full… but the sites that aren’t full still need you! We kindly ask that you pick your second choice site.

Oops! I accidentally registered for the wrong site! How do I change my registration?

If the site that you want still has spots available, just re-enter your registration for the new site. Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can delete the registration that you don’t want.

 

 

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