National River Cleanup Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National River Cleanup Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National River Cleanup Day is celebrated on May 20th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National River Cleanup Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as captivating facts you ought to know about National River Cleanup Day.

📅 What day is National River Cleanup Day 2024?

In 2024, National River Cleanup Day is on Saturday, May 20th. It is the 3rd Saturday in May; in 2024, it is Monday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all intriguing details and facts about May 20, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

The National River Cleanup is an annual event that takes place on May 20th, dedicated to removing litter and waste from rivers and the surrounding areas. American Rivers has been organizing these cleanups since 1991 and has successfully involved more than 1.3 million volunteers. Together, they have participated in numerous cleanups across the country, covering an impressive 261,000 miles of river and gathering over 32.5 million pounds of trash and debris.

📜 National River Cleanup Day History

The history of river cleaning is not well-known, but in 1991, American Rivers started a nationwide effort to clean up rivers with the help of over 1.3 million volunteers. They covered a distance of more than 261,000 miles and collected over 32.5 million pounds of trash from rivers. One of the polluted rivers is the Hudson River, which flows mainly through eastern New York from the Adirondack Mountains to the Upper New York Bay. The release of toxic substances like polychlorinated biphenyls (P.C.Bs) by General Electric between 1947 and 1977 had harmful effects on both animals and people who consumed fish from the river. Other forms of pollution, such as mercury contamination and the dumping of untreated sewage by cities, have worsened the condition of the river. Activists, like musician Pete Seeger, protested against the pollution, leading to the creation of the Clearwater Festival and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater to raise awareness. These protests, along with environmental movements across the country, resulted in the passing of the federal Clean Water Act in 1972 and the Toxic Substances Control Act in 1976. The polluted section of the river, spanning 200 miles, was declared a Superfund site by the government in 1984. A positive sign of improving water quality was the sighting of a humpback whale in the Hudson River in Manhattan in 2016, and since then, more whale sightings in the river have been reported.

✅ National River Cleanup Day Facts

🔖 Waterways are covered
A grand total of 205,500 kilometers of water channels have been thoroughly cleansed.

🔖 More than a million pounds of trash
As a result of these efforts to clean up, over 17 million pounds of waste and garbage have been saved from rivers and streams across the United States.

🔖 A million volunteers
More than 1.3 million people have been enlisted to help with numerous clean-up efforts throughout the country.

👍 Why Is National River Cleanup Day Important

Rivers are still an important source of drinking water for many cities and villages. The water is cleansed before it reaches our taps; however, if our rivers remain filthy, the water cannot be cleansed to the point where it is safe for human consumption.

Rivers are regarded as providing vital habitats for a variety of animal and plant species. Rivers are home to several animal and plant species. These species, however, are highly endangered due to the fast degradation of our rivers.

Less garbage offers greater options for recreation near rivers, such as clean and safe walking and running paths for the community. Tourists will be pulled in as recreational activities develop, affecting both the economy and the community’s well-being.

🙂 How To Observe National River Cleanup Day

⚡ Organize team building
Arrange teambuilding activities that involve conducting cleanups and providing educational courses on reducing the use of disposable items in various locations such as homes, workplaces, and other sites. By doing so, diverse entities including organizations, researchers, and individuals can collaborate to identify effective cross-border solutions.

⚡ Clean up the rivers
The main goal of showcasing the garbage is to both tidy up and raise awareness about the issue. It doesn’t matter if you have a connection to the river through your upbringing, residence, or workplace; all are encouraged to participate and contribute.

⚡ Educate and motivate kids
The second goal is to offer an educational and inspiring experience for students of all ages, ranging from elementary to college level, by engaging them in the activity of picking up trash. This allows them to gain a unique perspective and understanding of the issue while also igniting their enthusiasm and curiosity.

📅 When is National River Cleanup Day?

You can view all 🔗 May holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Activities holidays.

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