(MyKeeneNow) – Communities in New England are gearing up for a large-scale environmental effort this fall, as the 28th annual Source to Sea Cleanup returns to the Connecticut River and its tributaries on Sept. 20 and 21.

The initiative, organized by the Connecticut River Conservancy, will see thousands of volunteers join forces to clear litter and debris from local waterways across four states.

In Keene and Swanzey, cleanup activities will be held over two days, with Friday and Saturday morning sessions scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will work at multiple sites, including on-foot locations and areas accessible by small boats such as kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats. Boaters are encouraged to bring life jackets, although they are not required to participate.

The Keene cleanup will begin on Friday, Sept. 20, at Ashuelot River Park, and continue at several other sites on Saturday, including Martel Court and the Beaver Brook area. Volunteers in Swanzey will be stationed at Cresson Bridge on Saturday. Organizers will provide gloves, trash bags, and a limited supply of t-shirts to participants.

Those interested in joining the effort are asked to register online in advance, with more details about specific sites available through the Cheshire County Conservation District’s website.

The cleanup is made possible with support from local sponsors, including Keene State College, Moosewood Ecological, the City of Keene, and The Harris Center for Conservation Education. Each year, the event attracts an enthusiastic crowd, all dedicated to preserving the health of the Ashuelot River and its surrounding environment.

For more information or help with registration, volunteers can contact the Cheshire County Conservation District at info@cheshireconservation.org or call 904-3011.