Adopt a River Cleanups

Adopt a River is a shoreline cleanup program for everyone, offering support as you care for your favorite lake, river, stream, or wetland - it’s not just for rivers! It was established in 1989 at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and moved to the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa in 2016. Now the program is in the hands of Freshwater where it continues to equip and inspire Minnesotans in their journey to becoming stewards and ambassadors of our state’s waters.

Through this program, participants have the opportunity to expand a one-time cleanup into something bigger. Registering to adopt a river provides the opportunity to make a two year commitment to care for water near you. Reporting your cleanup, whether a one-time event or an adoption, connects you to a  network of other cleanup projects.  This enables you to see the impact of your cleanup alongside all other Adopt a River cleanups and adds your story to the map below. The power is in all our hands, and through Adopt a River we can combine our efforts and make a greater impact for clean healthy water.

On the map below you can explore the location and other information about recent cleanups and see the impact of Adopt a River! If you have led a cleanup recently and would like to be included in this map, please fill out the   Report a Cleanup form  . If you have photos or videos and a story to share, we can add you to the growing Stories from the Water collection.

• Encourage participants to take time to enjoy the river and wildlife.
• Make it fun! Encourage people to talk with one another. Play games similar to car games, or every 15 minutes or so propose a fun question for participants to discuss.
• Take breaks along the way to rest, swim and snack.
• Plan a potluck for after the cleanup as a celebration of your successes!
• Ensure that each participant has a buddy. Stay in pairs in case of an emergency.
• Have a safety plan in place before the event starts.
• Partner with other organizations and businesses to increase the number of volunteers. Ask for donations for food or supplies for your volunteers.
• Pick a safe place for your keys and other valuables before the cleanup so you don’t worry about them during the cleanup.
• Enjoy the day! Appreciate the time you are spending outside together!

• Plan your cleanup during the bug season.
• Take on long stretches of waterways. If you get done early, you can always keep on going.
• Forget a backup date. Weather happens!
• Wear sandals.
• Expect your river to be the same as it was last year. Check out the conditions each year before the cleanup.
• Pick up a piece of debris if it seems unsafe. It’s not worth the potential hazard.

Numbers are great, but they don’t tell the whole story. We hope these stories spark your interest in planning a cleanup yourself.

For more than 20 years Caron Gibson has organized cleanups with her friends and family on the Rum River, from Martin's Landing to Chader Springs. Her family lives near the Chader Springs campsite, a popular summer tubing destination. Summer visitors often leave a lot of debris behind along this stretch of the Rum River.

Caron tells us she plans cleanups to keep the local environment and habitat that surrounds her home clean and healthy. She sees all the debris that washes down the Rum River and tries to pull it out before it washes down to Anoka and into the Mississippi River. In order to reach debris that gets caught in trees on the banks of the river, the cleanup crew maneuvers a canoe and multiple kayaks into those hard-to-reach places.

Some of the craziest things this group has pulled out of the river over the years include a lawn mower and a baby doll that was just a little too realistic! They have also had many exciting animal sightings including eagles and their nests, king fishers, river otters, turtles, and a wide variety of birds.

After hours of picking debris out of the Rum River, Caron’s cleanup crew ends the day with a Minnesota potluck! Each person brings a drink for themselves and a dish to share with the group. This is a great way to celebrate! It brings everyone back together to share their adventures and relax after a full day of cleaning up.