GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The West Michigan Environmental Action Council's 21st annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup kicked off this weekend.
From Saturday, Sept. 7 to Sept. 14 the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, Walker and East Grand Rapids will come together with WMEAC to participate in one of the largest river cleanups in the state.
Last year, the cleanup removed 7,200 pounds of trash.
"We see less and less trash every year. We have picked up well over more than 20,000 tons in the last 21 years," said Elaine Sterrett Isely, WMEAC's interim executive director.
This year, hundreds of volunteers have signed up to get to work and do it all over again.
"So we know that it only takes 15 minutes from your storm drain, from your neighborhood, to get to the Grand River. And from the Grand River, it goes to Lake Michigan, which is the Great Lakes, 21% of the world's freshwater, so we want to protect it and do our part for the community," said Marshall Kilgore, WMEAC's director of engagement.
The cleaning commenced with a kickoff event on Saturday hosted by WMEAC at Sixth Street Park in Grand Rapids.
From 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., speakers from the participating cities, local dignitaries and WMEAC’s staff gave updates on the Grand River and spoke about how everyone can make a difference in the health of our waterways and communities.
Volunteers gathered supplies and had some snacks before heading out to cleanup locations, despite it being a chilly morning.
"We all can't do everything, but we can do something," Kilgore said. "And I'm so happy to see that folks came out bundled up. I've got on multiple layers. Many people had on many layers. We do have a scuba diver diving down there today, so folks are even in the water getting things."
Throughout the week volunteers will work to pick up trash and recyclables along the Grand River, its tributaries, storm drains, streets and parks throughout the metro area.
"We're thankful for everyone who came out today, and all our river champions," Kilgore said.
