“The Spokane River event is the biggest clean-up or work-oriented event taking place that we know of,” said Angelo. “You are to be congratulated!” - Mark Angelo, chair of the Rivers Institute at British Columbia Institute of Technology and a University of Montana graduate, founded World Rivers Day in 2005.

This quote comes from a press release received today in which it was announced that the seventh annual Spokane River Clean-up is the biggest hands-on event for World Rivers Day. "While World Rivers Day is actually Sunday, Sept. 27, organizers of that international effort to bring awareness to the world’s rivers say that Spokane’s Seventh Annual Spokane River Clean-up on Saturday, Sept. 26, is the biggest clean-up event taking place that weekend, as far as they know," the release read.  

The Spokane River Clean-up has become a civic tradition, enabling hundreds of people each year to affirm a sense of stewardship and community pride for the Spokane River and the natural areas along its banks. Results last year: 800+ people, over eight tons of trash, over two tons of it recycled. Organizers project turnout of close to 1,000 this year. Building on a trial run of the University District location in 2008, organizers have expanded plans for that site for 2009.

Online registration is open now at www.friendsofthefalls.org. Advance registration helps the organizers plan for sufficient supplies; walk-in registrants are welcome the day of the event.

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