Volunteers clean up waterways during annual DuPage River Sweep

For over 30 years, DuPage County residents and the Conservation Foundation have done their part to keep local waterways clean. Each spring, groups of volunteers remove litter and invasive species and plant native species along selected portions of local rivers and streams to help the ecosystem thrive. Over the past three decades, more than 14,400 volunteers have removed nearly 300 tons of garbage from DuPage County streams.

The community is hoping to make another major positive impact on the ecosystem this year, with the 2022 DuPage River Sweep taking place 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 21. Community liaisons from Addison, Bolingbrook, Naperville, Downers Grove and many more towns are already hard at work selecting sections of stream that need tending. Volunteers can easily register and be assigned to one of these groups or can select to work independently in an area of their choosing. No matter how individuals contribute, they should know their time and dedication will leave a positive mark for years to come.

"My favorite part is meeting the volunteers. At the end of the cleanup, all the volunteers are happy and feel like they did something positive to improve the environment. The removal of every piece of litter, no matter how small, makes a difference," said Jan Roehll, DuPage County Program Director.

Sweeping the river effectively requires proper supplies and technical equipment. Community sponsors, such as Gerald Subaru of Naperville make that happen. Gerald has been a longtime supporter of the Sweep. The dealership believes in the importance of community as well as keeping local nature spaces clean, thriving, and safe for the public to enjoy. In addition to supporting the Sweep, their contribution also allowed the Conversation Foundation to give volunteers a "plantable pencil." The pencil features a hard capsule at the end with seeds in it that can be placed in a pot and watered to grow a flower, vegetable or herb.

"We are happy to support the DuPage River Sweep every year. It's wonderful to see volunteers out along local waterways doing good for the environment and the community," said Donna Lawler, Vice President of the Gerald Auto Group.

To learn more about the DuPage River Sweep or volunteer, visit: https://www.theconservationfoundation.org/event/dupage-river-sweep-2022.

To learn more about Gerald Subaru of Naperville, visit: https://www.geraldsubarunaperville.com.