Volunteers Needed for the Annual DuPage River Sweep

The 20th annual DuPage River Sweep will be held in the Plainfield area from 9 a.m. to noon May 21, and volunteers are needed to help.

Individuals, families, scout groups and other organizations are being sought to remove debris and litter from the river and tributary areas to improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and enhance safety for people and animals who rely on the DuPage for recreation and habitat. 

A barbecue for volunteers will folllow at noon.

The sweep is a regional stream cleanup held annually to encourage citizens and volunteers to help “sweep our rivers clean” by picking up debris in and along the DuPage River. The event has been held since 1991, during which time more than 6,300 volunteers have removed more than 185 tons of garbage from the river.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. May 21 at Plainfield Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport St. From there, teams will be formed and dispatched to various clean-up sites throughout the village. 

To participate, call Jonathan Proulx at the Plainfield Planning Department, 815-609-6139 by May 14, or go online at www.conservationplainfield.com.

For more information about The Conservation Foundation and the regional DuPage River Sweep, visit www.theconservationfoundation.org.