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 and read the corresponding descriptions. Choose the area you’d like to focus on and contact us through our online form. You can also use the map to get directions to each of the beginning and ending points. 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 shore helpers to help once the paddlers arrive. Please read below for more information.

STEP 2: Read through the "Safety" page and prepare for the clean-up accordingly. Everyone must complete a Release Agreement. You can download it here. Once you've downloaded it, print it out, complete it and BRING IT WITH YOU!!!

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 gloves. Please be sure to bring a lunch and maybe even a snack (working and laughing tend to work up an appetite!)

STEP 4: Pick up trash as you paddle or walk to your designated pick-up spot downriver. Jet boat support will be provided when and where possible. When your boat is full of garbage, flag a jet boat to unload or land at a pre-arranged drop point. Be sure to document and nominate any interesting trash you find for the Most Treasured Trash Awards on Saturday.

STEP 5: As always, all volunteers are invited to our wrap-up party, the River Riot, complete with free food, beverages, live music, and our annual "Trashy Awards" presentations. This free event will be held Saturday, September 17, 2016 at a location to be determined, so check back regularly details and updates.

The gathering will feature live music, food and refreshments, and the Most Treasured Trash Awards. Please bring a chair, and a tent if you plan to camp. Camping and parking is FREE for all river clean-up volunteers! Come join in the fun!

View a Google Map of all of the launch points

Saturday, September 10, 2016 - Conewango Creek (Lower - Front Street to Point Park - 3.5 Miles) - Meet at Point Park in Warren, PA at 9:00 am for registration and shuttle to the Front Street launch site. Volunteers should plan for it to take 4 to 6 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, shore helpers will be needed beginning at 11:00 am until possibly as late as 5:00 pm. Click HERE to register.     

Monday, September 12, 2016 - Conewango Creek (Upper - Larimer Park to Front Street 5 Miles) - Meet at Front Street launch site at 9:00 am for registration and shuttle to Larimer Park launch site. The Front St launch site is directly at the foot of Hackney Meadows St/Lane--the street sign is clearly marked, and it is directly to the right of Davies and Sons on North Conewango Ave. The street sign is new, large, and easily visible from Conewango Ave. And the business, Davies and Sons is a great landmark for those who prefer landmarks to find their way. The launch site is literally directly downhill from Davies and Sons on that street (Hackney Meadows). Look for signs pointing the way. 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, shore helpers will be needed beginning at 11:00 am and until possibly as late as 5:00 pm.Click HERE to register.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - Wildwood - Tidioute Boat Launch - 7.5 Miles - Meet at Tidioute Boat Launch at 9:00 am for shuttle to Wildwood. This portion of the river clean-up includes the federally designated wilderness island, Courson. 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, shore helpers will be needed beginning at 11:00 am and until possibly as late as 5:00 pm. Click HERE to register.

Friday, September 16, 2016 - Tidioute Boat Ramp - West Hickory - 8 Miles - Meet at West Hickory Boat Launch at 9:00 am for shuttle to Buckaloons. This portion of the clean-up 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. If you'd like to volunteer, but do not want to get on the water, shore helpers will be needed beginning at 11:00 am and until possibly as late as 5:00 pm. Click HERE to register.

Saturday, September 17, 2016 - Point Park to Buckaloons - 7 Miles - Meet at Buckaloons Recreation Area (near the boat ramp) at 9:00 am for shuttle to Point Park in Warren, PA. 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, shore helpers will be needed beginning at 11:00 am and until possibly as late as 5:00 pm. Click HERE to register.