Cleanups

There is no charge to participate in a cleanup. Registration is required, and we encourage you to register early to ensure participation, as each trip has a limited capacity. Optional donations are appreciated to help us continue our efforts to host cleanups. All participants receive an honorary one-year membership to Chattahoochee Riverkeeper!

Why don’t we post the location? Based on the amount of rainfall throughout the year, trash is constantly on the move. To ensure each event will be an effective cleanup, we do not decide project locations until two weeks prior, at which point we distribute the location to registered volunteers. Most cleanups are within a 20-mile radius of metro Atlanta and are generally between the hours of 9 am to 12 pm (land) and 9 am to 3 pm (paddle).

Each participant is required to sign a CRK Liability Waiver. This is authorized as an electronic signature during the registration process. Click here to preview the CRK Liability Waiver.

For safety reasons, volunteers must be at least 10 years of age. All volunteers under age 18 must have parent/guardian supervision onsite at cleanup events.

Questions about our cleanups should be directed to tbates@chattahoochee.org.

• There is no charge to participate in a cleanup. Registration is required, and we encourage you to register early to ensure participation, as each trip has a limited capacity.
• Participants receive a one-year honorary individual CRK membership.
• Additional information is provided in your confirmation email and specific trip details two weeks prior to the trip date.
• Each participant is required to sign a CRK Liability Waiver. This is authorized as an electronic signature during the registration process. Click here to preview the CRK Liability Waiver.
• Youth Age Requirements: Minimum 10 years of age. All volunteers under age 18 must have parent/guardian supervision onsite at cleanup events.

• Boating equipment is not provided unless prior arrangements have been made with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper to borrow a boat. Participants must bring their own equipment. These trips are intended for kayaks and canoes only – inflatable boats are not permitted.
• Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) are required and must be securely worn on all paddle trips. No exceptions. In some instances, helmets are required.
• Shuttling is a group effort and typically we will meet around 9 am at the put-in to unload all boats and shuttle to the take-out before we get on the river.
• All paddle trips have a maximum capacity – we encourage you to register early to ensure participation.
• Youth Age Requirements: If paddling solo, paddler must be at least 15 years old and accompanied by a parent/guardian. If paddling tandem, youth must be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by an adult at least 21 years.

Paddle Cleanup Physical Requirements

• All participants must be able to swim competently.
• All participants must be able to get in and out of a kayak/canoe unassisted (i.e., those with knee or back injuries may have difficulty).
• Padding uses your core muscles, arms and shoulders. Anyone with injuries in these areas may have difficulty.
• If you have open wounds, you are encouraged to wear a waterproof bandage and antibiotic ointment.
• Please consult your physician if you are concerned about your ability to participate.
• If you have open wounds, you are encouraged to wear a waterproof bandage and antibiotic ointment.
• Please consult your physician if you are concerned about your ability to participate.

One of the most popular ways to volunteer is during a company-sponsored cleanup! Your staff will spend a day in the great outdoors, participating in either a river-based or land-based cleanup. For a $1,500 donation, we will organize a service project for your team. For more information on how to register your group, please contact Tammy Bates, our Outings Director.

Our events educate and entertain. From film festivals and cocktail parties to river races and family-friendly festivals, there’s an ideal happening for your company. For more information, please contact Kyndall Thiessen, our Development Director.