Haw River Assembly Plans 36th Annual Clean-Up-A-Thon on March 21

The Haw River Assembly is preparing for its 36th Annual Clean-Up-A-Thon on Saturday, March 21, 2026, a watershed-wide volunteer effort that organizes teams to remove trash and debris from streams, creeks, and river access points. The program has become a fixture in the region, routinely attracting robust participation from Alamance County communities including Haw River, Saxapahaw, Swepsonville, Burlington and other towns along the watershed.

Historically the event has produced measurable results: volunteers numbering in the hundreds collect hundreds of bags of trash each year. That scale of volunteer action matters locally because it directly reduces the volume of litter and pollutants entering waterways, which in turn lowers risks to aquatic habitat, recreation areas and municipal stormwater systems. For towns with riverfront businesses and parks, cleaner shorelines can support recreational use and help maintain property appeal.

Organizers say team registration opens well in advance and that sites and supplies can be limited, so early sign-up is recommended. Individuals can also join existing teams. For sponsorship inquiries or questions about participation, organizers ask people to contact events@hawriver.org. The Assembly coordinates supplies and logistics for numerous sites across the watershed, linking volunteers with access points and local host groups.

Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, the Clean-Up-A-Thon serves as a form of community capital formation. Volunteer labor reduces the burden on municipal cleanup budgets and complements formal stormwater and water quality programs by addressing localized trash hotspots that can otherwise require repeated municipal intervention. Sustained participation over 36 years also demonstrates a long-term trend toward community-led stewardship of natural resources that can influence local policy priorities, including investments in riparian buffers, trash capture technologies and public education campaigns.

For Alamance County residents, participation offers both practical and civic returns. Removing debris improves day-to-day water quality and flood resiliency, and creates a visible improvement to public river access that residents and visitors use for fishing, boating and casual recreation. Those interested in volunteering as individuals or registering a team should plan to sign up early and direct questions or sponsorship offers to events@hawriver.org.