River Clean-up

September is Vermont River Clean-up Month, and Friends of the Winooski has been pulling trash from the rivers at several sites in and around Montpelier for 25 years. We would love your help!

The reasons we clean up in September are because the water level is usually fairly low, and the water temperature is about as warm as it gets. These factors help our volunteers be safer and more comfortable in the river. 

We use canoes to collect garbage from the river. If you have an old sturdy boat that you don't mind filling with tires and scrap metal and mud, we'd love to use it. 

Please come prepared to get dirty! Wear appropriate clothing, including shoes that can be worn in the river; bring a snack and water, gloves are recommended, and protection from sun or rain. Note that the river access spots and river beds can be steep, extremely slippery, rocky, and uneven.  

The Montpelier event takes place the first Saturday after Labor Day, each year. Meet at Montpelier City Hall, 39 Main St., Montpelier, at 8:30am.

Youth (14-18) who want to participate in either the Montpelier or the Barre cleanup without a parent present MUST bring a liability release form signed by their parent to the event. People younger than 14 must be accompanied by a parent throughout the event. 

Liability Release Form for BARRE River Cleanup 2024

New! City of Barre Clean-up! Co-hosted by the Barre River Access Task Force. For more information about the Barre Clean-up, contact [email protected]. 

Check out more photos of past cleanups in this Flickr Collection of albums. 

A sample of student river junk art!