AFF's Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
Event History

2008... A serious threat of thunderstorms and lightening did not scare away most volunteers and site leaders! Those threats were only threats because it ended up to be a beautiful sunny morning for the 20th Annual Cleanup! Through the whole month of April we had 12,078 volunteers participate at 392 cleanup sites removing 285 tons of trash. Note the smaller amount of trash – the cleanups are working!

2007... Accompanied by fantastic sunny weather the 19th Annual Cleanup continued to break all the records. 402 Registered Cleanup Sites where 8,140 volunteers removed 291.6 tons of trash. Volunteers were able to for the first time enter their final results data over the internet as well as participate in our first ever photo contest. The 2nd Annual Potomac Watershed Trash Summit was held June 14 of this year.

2006... 6,543 volunteers participated in the 2006 Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. Their dedication to the event resulted in the removal of over 207 tons of trash from 0ver 360 sites in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The total trash removed weighed more than 16 school buses; all bags piled together would fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Included in the 207.7 tons of trash were 2134 tires, 13,208 plastic shopping bags and 14 MATTRESSES AND FRAMES!

2005... Another record-setting year in the history of the Cleanup! On the eve of the 17th Annual PRWC, the first ever Trash Treaty was signed by six key jurisdictions, launching the Trash-Free Potomac Watershed by 2013 into action. Due to severe weather, the event was stretched to incorporate re-scheduled Cleanups throughout the month of April. In total, 5,875 volunteers removed 217.8 tons of trash from a record 309 sites. More than 17,600 volunteer hours were invested and the media response was spectacular.

2004... A record amount of trash was removed by 3,663 volunteers at 166 sites. Volunteers collected over 160 tons of trash – 24.5 more tons than the previous record set in 1996. Amongst the trash collected was an estimated 108,575 recyclable plastic bottles that accounted for roughly 30% of all the bagged trash. The total trash weighed more than 30 school buses, and if lined up would span more than 3 miles!

2003... Attempting to further improve our cleanup success, volunteers were challenged to recycle plastic bottles instead of adding more plastic to local landfills. Of more than 59,000 plastic bottles removed from the watershed, 42% were responsibly recycled. This year also witnessed significant increased participation from elementary schools, civic groups, and non profit groups. A record 138 cleanup sites allowed 3,046 volunteers to clean up 117 tons of trash! Finally, a brave vision for eliminating trash in the Potomac emerged in the “Let’s Be Trash-Free in Ten Years” campaign.

2002... 4000 volunteers gathered at 127 cleanup sites to remove 122 tons of trash! Alarmed by the growing number of illegally dumped tires, we focused our education and media campaign on this issue and were able to remove 2,301 tires. Thanks to our new PR firm, Infotech Strategies, we were successful in increasing our cleanup sites and media attention. Our website improved by adding directions online to the cleanup sites, allowing volunteers to find a site with ease.

2001... A new slogan was adopted, "From Our Streets to Our River", which emphasized the movement of trash from the storm drains to the river. 4,000 volunteers at 110 sites pulled 70 tons of trash along with a civil war cannon ball, working cell phone, a 55 Chevy, and 709 tires! Our media coverage increased dramatically and we gained new sites within the Monacacy watershed.

2000... 110 sites in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C. Almost 4,000 volunteers hauled more than 3,589 bags of trash, 584 tires, baby strollers, various car parts, and even a tombstone from 1878. Increased sites, continued youth involvement, and schoolyard cleanups were achieved with the continued support of the Chesapeake Bay Trust in the form of a $20,000 grant.

1999... The 106 sites in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia & Washington, DC. Almost 3,000 volunteers helped collected 98,000 pounds of trash. Youth participation increased as several schools and youth groups adopted sites -- as did area businesses. A $20,000 grant from the Chesapeake Trust supported this restoration project.

1998... 98 sites were recruited for the 10th Annual Cleanup – although torrential downpours dampened volunteer enthusiasm. A $20,000 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust made it possible to increase site participation by 25%. The Alice Ferguson Foundation and the National Park Service formed an environmental education partnership entitled “Bridging the Watershed”. The project, modeled after the watershed cleanup, uses the concept that all partners can share their resources to benefit the environment.

1997... Nearly 3000 volunteers at more than 75 sites (including new sites in West Virginia) hauled away almost 100 tons of trash. A Chesapeake Bay Trust grant of $7,500 provided bags, gloves, and printing of flyers prepared by RMR & Associates.

1996... A record-breaking year! Flooding from the river increased the need for the Cleanup. 60 sites spanning from the headwaters to the Chesapeake Bay, with the help of about 2,000 volunteers, pulled an astonishing 137.5 tons of trash, including 1,159 tires, out of the Potomac. Thirty National Park sites and several Maryland and Virginia State Parks were involved.

1995... 50 sites with additions in Washington, DC and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay Trust became a partner by providing a $6,500 grant to support the 1996 event.

1994... It was time to think about the entire Potomac Watershed -- not just strips of the shoreline. The 41 sites stretched from the upper Potomac in Cumberland, MD, to the river’s mouth at Point Lookout, MD, and included major tributaries. More than 900 volunteers hauled an impressive 63 tons of debris from shoreline areas. RMR & Associates, a public relations firm began providing pro bono support.

1993... 13 sites including all of the National Park Service land from the DC line to Marshall Hall. Unfortunately, the Colonial Pipeline oil spill just days before the cleanup forced a cancellation of the event. It was a disappointment to say the least!

1991-1992... 8 sites were cleaned as hundreds of volunteers became involved. Bass-fishing boats hauled trash to Ft. Washington Marina. Residents of Battersea-on-the-Bay organized neighborhood participation. The George Washington Memorial Parkway coordinated their Dyke Marsh Cleanup to both sides of the river cleaned up simultaneously. Charles County officials provided support for the Marshall Hall site, which added another government agency to the coalition.

1990... 4 sites were cleaned in Piscataway Park, Ft. Washington Park and Harmony Hall.

1989 ... The Potomac River Watershed Cleanup has grown from small shoreline areas to a watershed-wide network. The cleanup began in 1989, when the staff at the Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Center/Alice Ferguson Foundation in Accokeek, MD, wanted to clean the Piscataway Park shoreline. Hard Bargain staff and the neighboring National Colonial Farm pitched in to sponsor a two-site cleanup. A strong partnership quickly developed as the National Park Service, Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resources, the Maryland Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Communications Office, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Potomac River Pilot’s Association, Army Corps of Engineers and citizens of all ages joined forces to clean about three miles of shoreline.