The 10th annual Riverkeeper Sweep, an annual day of service for the Hudson River and its tributaries, is set for May 1, with shoreline cleanups and tree-planting projects planned from Brooklyn to the Adirondacks. Over the last nine years, Riverkeeper volunteers have completed 804 projects along hundreds of miles of shoreline during the Sweep, removing 275 tons of debris and planting or maintaining 4,490 trees or native grasses. This year Riverkeeper hopes to reach new communities and new volunteers and restore additional stretches of shoreline.

There are several ways to get involved with the Sweep, beginning with organizing a cleanup or planting project. To suggest a particular park or shoreline, submit the Sweep Leader Interest Form. To participate in a project, submit the Volunteer Interest Form to receive updates about volunteering on Sweep day. A full list of Sweep projects will be available on April 1, when registration opens. Preregistration is required to participate.

Those who own or work at a business can learn how to sponsor the 2021 Riverkeeper Sweep event by emailing [email protected]. And regardless of whether they can participate, anyone is welcome to show their support for a trash-free Hudson by becoming a Riverkeeper member or starting a fundraiser for the Sweep.

This year’s Sweep will implement Covid protocols, including small-event capacity and social distancing, to ensure the safety of all participants.

For more information or to get involved, visit Riverkeeper.org.