🎃🎃🎃🎃Halloween Beach & Boardwalk Cleanup 👻👻👻👻

Join Clean Virginia Waterways for a spooky cleanup along the Virginia Beach boardwalk and Oceanfront beach! Help keep our coast clean, protect marine life, and give back to our local community while celebrating Halloween with a purpose.

👻 Costumes are highly encouraged! Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume and make a difference with us.

📍 Location: On the boardwalk in front of Chicho’s Pizza at 11th street. Happy hour goes till 7, so be sure to stop in after the cleanup for a bite!

🌊 Help us collect data! During the cleanup, we’ll be collecting litter data for the International Coastal Cleanup. Please download the Clean Swell app before the event to make recording your finds quick and easy.

Grab your costume, bring your spooky spirit, and join us in keeping Virginia’s coast clean!
Register here!

Join the Upper Tennessee River Roundtable and Sustain Abingdon for a Cleanup.
Bring your family, bring your friends, or just bring yourself. The more the merrier! Every helping hand makes a difference.

We’ll provide all the cleanup supplies, so just show up ready to pitch in and have a good time!

And because every cleanup crew deserves a reward… FREE PIZZA at the end! Plus, everyone who participates gets a FREE T-shirt!

Come spend some time outside, meet your neighbors, make a difference, and help keep our stream clean and beautiful.

Mark your calendar and join us! We can’t wait to see you there!

Upper Tennessee River Roundtable

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is hosting its annual fall beach cleanup on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 9:00am. As part of the International Coastal Cleanup we will collect data on all of the trash we collect, adding to ongoing research about ocean trash and informing efforts to limit trash from reaching our oceans. Please register here.

If you are looking to volunteer please fill out this form.

The coordinator will then reach out with additional details.

October 24th - Community Beach Park, 700 E Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503 (Meet at the Lifeguard/restrooms pavilion) 9am-11am

Postponed! We will post a future date soon.
Bring your pup to a cleanup and join Cooper’s Scoopers for a cleanup on Chic’s Beach!

A small market will be held after the event with small local businesses.

Join us Saturday, October 17th for our annual fall river clean up to help the Danville Science Center and Danville Parks & Recreation in keeping our trails clean. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided, just wear close-toed shoes and clothes suitable for working outdoors. No registration is required, meet in front of the Danville train station at 9am.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1569935015131458&set=pb.100063449247198.-2207520000

Organizer Brian bbuchanan@smv.org

Clean Virginia Waterways is excited to be hosting a Nature Party at First Landing State Park on has been rescheduled to October 11th from 1:00 - 4:00PM due to weather. In partnership with local community organizations, The Nature Party creates a safe and welcoming space where families can learn basic naturalist skills, explore local plants and animals, engage in creative activities, and connect with organizations that offer ongoing outdoor opportunities. These events are intentionally designed to be accessible, educational, and community centered. A cleanup will be happening at the event along with tons of kid friendly activities!

Register here!

GET YOUR BRAIN WET! Join Friends of Accotink Creek to get trash out of our waterways while participating in the International Coastal Cleanup in Fairfax County. More information and registration at https://www.accotink.org/2026/InternationalCoastalCleanuppre-event2026.htm

Cleanup Locations and Times:
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM    Hatmark Branch at Vaden Drive 
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM     Accotink Creek at King Arthur Road
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM     Accotink Creek at Little River Turnpike

Join the Friends of the Appomattox River (FAR) for our bi-annual trash clean up from 9-12pm. We will meet at Wilkes Lake parking lot (near the skate park) at 9am. You will need to sign a liability waiver, get clean up supplies (all provided), sign up for an area to clean and take a picture for the paper. This is a land and water clean up so feel free to bring your boat if you prefer to float the Blueway. Download the Clean Swell app in advance for easy data collection (highly recommended).

If you are looking to volunteer please fill out this form.

The coordinator will then reach out with additional details.

October 3rd - Northside Park, 8400 Tidewater Dr, Norfolk, VA 23505 (Meet at Picnic Shelter 2, it is the last shelter on the left near the back) 9am-11am

FOTO Fall 2026 River Clean Up! Prince William and Fairfax Counties

Saturday, October 3, 2026, 9 AM to 12 PM

At one of these 5 locations:

Lake Ridge Marina

Contact: Renate Vanegas 703-674-6659

Town of Occoquan

Contact: Tammy Hassett 571-427-2562

Occoquan Regional Park

Contact: Alex Vanegas 703-674-7847

Fountainhead Regional Park

Contact: Sonia Monson 703-581-5487

Bull Run Marina

Contact: Steve Hunter 571-263-5367

Preregistration Recommended

How do I sign up?

Select a location from above and email the required information to foto@friendsoftheoccoquan.org

1. Location/Time Slot you plan to sign in

2. First and last names of the volunteers in your group

3. Contact number and email address

4. Do you need a community service letter? Please include your name and mailing address.

Refreshments provided

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own filled water bottles as FOTO aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles.

In case of inclement weather please check the FOTO website or Facebook page for updates.

Website: www.friendsoftheoccoquan.org

Get out with your family or friends and do your part in keeping the source of our drinking water pristine.

Plan Ahead- Next FOTO Clean Up Saturday, April 3, 2027

Litter isn’t just ugly; it hurts wildlife and the river’s ecosystem. Register as a volunteer at one of our upcoming litter clean-up events. We’ll provide the garbage bags, trash grabbers and gloves (if you don’t have your own). Events will be rescheduled in the event of rain or extreme weather. Volunteers need to register at https://elizabethriver.org/volunteer/

GET YOUR BRAIN WET! Join Friends of Accotink Creek to get trash out of our waterways while participating in the International Coastal Cleanup in Fairfax County. More information and registration at https://www.accotink.org/2026/InternationalCoastalCleanuppre-event2026.htm

Cleanup Locations: 
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM     Accotink Creek at Pickett Road 
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM     Accotink Creek at Barkley Drive
 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM     Accotink Creek at Woodburn Road   

Join F Co 1-222 AVN out of Ft Eustis for a cleanup at New Market Creek at Mercury boulevard.

Email Kat@cleanvirginiawaterways.org for more details.

Don't miss the 23rd Annual Deltaville Yachting Center Shoreline Cleanup!

The 2026 Virginia Clean Marina Shoreline Cleanup (for ocean conservancy research) at Deltaville Yachting Center will take place from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Contact Tammy 804-776-9898 / tammy@dycboat.com if you are willing to HELP be a part of the cleanup team. Stop by the office on September 26th by 10:45am to pick up gloves and go over the details.

Thank you for your help to keep DYC Beautiful!

Volunteers Needed to Clean Occoquan River –

The water supply for most Eastern Prince William & Fairfax Counties

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. (rain date October 3, 2026), Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (PWTSC), a 501(c)3 organization, is conducting its 17th annual clean-up of the upper Occoquan River, from nine different sites along 25+ miles of the Occoquan River. The cleanup ranges from Cedar Run/Broad Run through Lake Jackson, from the base of Lake Jackson Dam to Hooes Run (south of Lake Ridge Marina), and to Belmont Bay Community. Stormwater drainages and ponds are not left out during this community water quality awareness event.  

From 2022 to 2025, over 300 volunteers on both water and land collected over 10,600 pounds of trash, putting in over 930 hours of volunteer time

Homeowners’ associations, civic associations, businesses, environmental/cooperative organizations, and student organizations are encouraged to support these trash-reduction efforts in local waterways and raise community awareness of water quality.

Experienced kayakers, canoeists, Jon boaters, and pontoon boaters are also requested for the on-the-water portion of this conservation effort. 

 Boaters are expected to put in and take out at the same access point. If you plan to put in and take out at another location, you must make transportation arrangements. No shuttle service is available this year. 

Attached is a map showing the general water and land clean-up areas for planning purposes.

Interested participants should register at www.pwtsc.org for updates and cancellation information. 

Join Keep Suffolk Beautiful for the Nansemond River Cleanup on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina.

Volunteers can help in two ways: clean along the shoreline and surrounding areas on foot or take to the Nansemond River by kayak or canoe to reach litter from the water.

Have a kayak or canoe? We especially need you! Bring your own watercraft and help us tackle litter along the river that can be difficult to reach from land. A limited number of kayaks will also be available to rent on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meet at:
Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina
100 E. Constance Road
Suffolk, VA 23434

We'll provide gloves, trash bags, reflective vests and litter grabbers, including extended grabbers for volunteers working from the water. After check-in, volunteers will collect supplies and head out to cleanup locations around the area.

Whether you're joining us on foot or getting out on the water, every piece of litter removed is one less piece that can make its way into the Nansemond River.

For more information, contact Keep Suffolk Beautiful at ksb@suffolkva.us or (757) 514-7604.

**This cleanup is being rescheduled due to the weather. Date and time TBD**

Photo: credit: Chincoteague NWR

Join in a cleanup on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge!

Be a part of the International Coastal Cleanup by volunteering to clean up litter from a Chesapeake waterway park. All necessary clean-up supplies will be provided. 

4 Locations: Bells Mill Park, Deep Creek Park, Lakeside Park, and Oak Grove Park

LAND BASED CLEANUPS

No experience required! We recommend sturdy work boots or walking shoes, long pants, and to bring drinking water with you. 

KAYAK LITTER CLEANUPS

We’re seeking experienced kayakers to join us for a fishing line and litter cleanup around the shoreline.  Single and tandem kayaks, along with life jackets, will be provided.   This option is open to ages 13 and up, ages 13-15 must be in a tandem kayak with an adult and ages 16-17 can be on the water in a single kayak with a parent participant on the water. We will provide litter grabbers, trash bags, gloves, and nets for collecting debris.  Please bring drinking water, sunscreen, and dress for the weather. Waivers will need to be signed on-site of cleanup.

Register Here

• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/5CZDr8sQAw2YjL7R9  

• Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road.  Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.  It is a No Parking zone along Oleander Avenue (parallel to Indian River Road).

• As part of the International Coastal Cleanup, we will be cleaning up around and underneath the Indian River - Oaklette Bridge, at Blue Heron Landing Park, and along Indian River Road  

• The city will provide garbage bags and orange safety vests.  

• Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat, and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.  We will have water and snacks, but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastic bottles.  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.

• If have access to the Indian River and are interested in "paddling up" to this cleanup with your own canoe or kayak, please reach out to us in advance at info@friendsofindianriver.org
  
  More Info Here

Join VB Parks and Recreation, Clean Virginia Waterways and Surf Rider for the International Costal Cleanup Day.
Please arrive at the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum between 8:30 and 9:00 am to check in. Volunteers are being dispersed to clean as far north as 40th Street and as far south as 1st Street.

Please register to volunteer, volunteers will be updated with parking instructions.

GET YOUR BRAIN WET! Join Friends of Accotink Creek to get trash out of our waterways while participating in the International Coastal Cleanup in Fairfax County. More information and registration at https://www.accotink.org/2026/InternationalCoastalCleanuppre-event2026.htm
Cleanup Locations & Times: 
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM     Accotink Creek at Braddock Road
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM     Accotink Creek at Franconia-Springfield Parkway
3:00 PM - 5:00              Accotink Creek at Telegraph Road 

If you are looking to volunteer please fill out this form. The coordinator will then reach out with additional details.

September 18th - Lafayette Park, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23504 (Meet at the Keep Norfolk Beautiful building at 3500A Granby Street) 9am-12pm

Help Gloucester County Clean Community cleanup Gloucester Point Beach Park!
Pre-registeration encouraged at gloucesterva.gov/clean-community/events.

Please come join Lisa, Bill, and Alex in an [Idealist.org](http://idealist.org/) Event Day clean-up event at Pine Camp Park.

For folks that want to contribute, but aren't a fan of gathering trash we are trying something new: collection tally. As a counter you would follow the collectors to count and keep track of trash by category on a paper form.

While we normally meet at the Trailhead next to Lolly the Bear, this time the event will start at the front door of Pine Camp Arts and Community Center. Follow the long drive way off of Old Brook Road and park in front of the single story community center on the right. It looks like an elementary school.

We'll provide gloves, trash bags, grabbers, and bug spray. Kindly consider bringing your own gloves. I recommend long sleeve shirts and pants, and if you have a pair of waders or waterproof boots. Bring your favorite water bottle.

More info here.

Join Clean Virginia Waterways and Chesapeake Bay Distillery for a cleanup and after-party to kick-off a month of supporting Clean Virginia Waterways and the start of the Virginia Waterways Cleanup!
For the month of September, 10% of all cocktails and flights purchased at the Chesapeake Bay Distillery tasting room on Virginia Beach Blvd. will be donated to Clean Virginia Waterways. Chesapeake Bay Distillery will feature a Coastal Cleanup Cocktail on their flight list, reminding us that plastics and microplastics can really dampen our spirits . We will start September with a cleanup around the distillery in the ViBe Creative District and celebrate with cocktails (for purchase) and some snacks after the cleanup.
So join the fight to reduce plastic pollution in Virginia by sipping on a locally made cocktail at Chesapeake Bay Distillery

Signup for the event here