The Allegheny River is one of America’s most scenic and beautiful waterways and we’re grateful that you want to help keep it that way by participating in the Allegheny River Clean-up.
Getting involved as a volunteer is simple. Just follow these five easy steps:
STEP 1: Review the map below. Each colored section is a scheduled trip. Click on a color block below to read the corresponding descriptions. Choose the area you’d like to focus on and contact us through our online form. You’ll need to know how many people are in your party in order to reserve your boats. Limited space is available so don’t delay. If you do not want to canoe, we still need volunteers to help sort recyclables once the paddlers arrive. Please read below for more information. The first 75 people to sign up will get free clean-up t-shirts.
STEP 2: Read through the “Safety” page and prepare for the clean-up accordingly.
STEP 3: Be sure to show up on the right day and at the correct time and place designated for your trip. Please don’t be late as this can set off a wave of delays throughout the day. There is no cost for the shuttle or canoes. Volunteers will be provided with trash bags and rubber gloves.
STEP 4: Pick up trash as you paddle or walk to your designated pick-up spot downriver. A shuttle will pick you up and dispose of your trash. Be sure to document and nominate any interesting trash you find for the Most Treasured Trash Awards on Saturday. (Click here for more information on the awards).
STEP 5: Join other volunteers at the Warren County Visitors Bureau after the clean-up on Saturday, September 19th. The gathering will feature music, food and refreshments, and the 1st Annual Most Treasured Trash Awards at 6 p.m. Come join in the fun!
Kinzua Dam to Allegheny Outfitters. (7 miles) Friday, September 18, 2009. Shuttle departs Allegheny Outfitters at 9am. This trip normally takes 2.5 to 3 hours (when not picking up trash), so volunteers should plan for it to take 4 to 5 hours. This portion of the river clean-up will include Dixon and Wardwell Islands. Volunteers will be briefed about island locations, trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. If you'd like to volunteer, but do not want to get on the water, recycling sorters will be needed at Allegheny Outfitters at 2 pm. Pre-registration for this trip is required. Click here.
Allegheny Outfitters to Betts Park. (3.5 miles) Tuesday, September 15, 2009. Shuttle departs Betts Park at 9am. This trip normally takes 1 to 1.5 hours (when not picking up trash), so volunteers should plan for it to take 3 to 5 hours. This portion of the river clean-up takes paddlers through the "rapids" behind United Refining, and is not recommended for small children. Volunteers will be briefed about the rapids, trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. If you'd like to volunteer, but do not want to get on the water, recycling sorters will be needed at Betts Park at 2 pm. Pre-registration is required. Click here.
Betts Park - Buckaloons. (5 miles) Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Meet at Betts Park at 9am. This trip normally takes 1.5 to 2 hours (when not picking up trash), so volunteers should plan for it to take 3 to 5 hours. Volunteers will be briefed about trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. If you'd like to volunteer, but do not want to get on the water, recycling sorters will be needed at Starbrick at 2 pm. Pre-registration for this trip is required. Click here.
Buckaloons to Indian Waters. (10 miles) Saturday, September 19, 2009. Meet at Indian Waters at 8am for shuttle to Buckaloons. This trip normally takes 3.5 to 4 hours (when not picking up trash), so volunteers should plan for it to take 5 to 6 hours. This portion of the clean-up will be the most intense because it includes Crulls (96 acres) and Thompsons (67 acres) Islands. These two islands account for roughly 65% of the island camping along the Allegheny River between Kinzua Dam and Tionesta. Volunteers will be briefed about island locations, trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. Jet boat support will be provided. If you'd like to volunteer, but do not want to get on the water, recycling sorters will be needed at Indian Waters at 2 pm. Pre-registration for this trip is required. Click here.
Indian Waters to Tidioute. (5.5 miles) Thursday, September 17, 2009. Meet at Tidioute boat launch at 9am for shuttle to Indian Waters. This trip normally takes 1.5 to 2 hours (when not picking up trash), so volunteers should plan for it to take 3 to 4 hours. This portion of the river clean-up includes the federally designated wilderness island, Courson. Jet boat support will be provided. Volunteers will be briefed about island locations, trash hot spots and other information at the launch site, before boarding their boats. If you'd like to volunteer, but do not want to get on the water, recycling sorters will be needed at the Tidioute boat launch at 2 pm. Pre-registration for this trip is required. Click here.
