Visit NeuseRiver.orgfor more information.
The annual Neuse River Clean-up began 5 years ago when Upper Neuse Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks joined the NRF team. At the time there were several small river clean-ups sponsored by various community groups in Raleigh. Dean’s idea was to merge these small local clean-ups into one big annual event coordinated by NRF. In doing so, Dean was also able to get the City of Raleigh to provide extra trash pick-ups and the Wake County Commissioners agreed to waive the landfill fees. The first year was a smashing success; 70 volunteers covered 20 miles of the Neuse River and hauled out more than 7,000 pounds of trash.
Four years later, the river clean-up had grown to include 50 miles of river from Falls Dam in North Raleigh to Smithfield. In addition, Larry Baldwin, Lower Neuse Riverkeeper organized a clean-up in downtown Kinston. In total, the 2006 clean-up covered 62 miles of the Neuse River and netted 21,000 pounds of trash with 300 volunteers!
Of course, the real success would be a river with no trash. But, don’t let the numbers discourage you; the previously cleaned sections are staying cleaner. The 2006 figures included removing two rotting cars from Crabtree Creek—a project we had never before attempted. (Crabtree Creek is a tributary of the Neuse that runs through the heart of Raleigh.)
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