If there was ever a year to help clean up the Anacostia River, it’s this year.

Nearly every week since the pandemic began in 2020 there has been a dramatic spike in the use of local trails in and around the Anacostia River and watershed communities. More use means more litter and more people who have a stake in cleaning it up.

To do your part, you can pitch in this weekend, as the Anacostia Watershed Society in Bladensburg holds its annual Earth Day cleanup.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 24, at various locations on the Route 1 corridor, including the Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Brentwood, the Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center, the West Hyattsville Metro and Wells Run in University Park.

Participants are asked to wear a face mask, closed-toe shoes and long pants and bring a water bottle and a small snack. Social distancing measures will be in effect.

You need to sign up in advance on the Anacostia Watershed Society’s website to participate, or if you are still avoiding group activities, you can clean up your own section of the watershed and share photos on social media using the hashtag #AWSEarthDay.

Started in 1989, the nonprofit has been a catalyst for cleaning up the river, educating local residents and forcing government action through strategic lawsuits. It has outlined a plan to clean up the river by 2025.

Beyond participating in this weekend’s cleanup efforts, you can also make a donation here to support the ongoing work of the Anacostia Watershed Society.

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