Rivers Alive-Athens Clarke County

Rivers Alive is Georgia's annual volunteer river clean-up event that encourages civic involvement in the preservation of Georgia's precious water resources. Our waterways provide us with fresh drinking water, important wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities that serve as a respite from our busy day-to-day lives. Opportunities this year will include traditional options (such as direct cleanup efforts in/near waterways), but will also expand in order to broaden our efforts to keep our waterways clean. Efforts will expand to include broader litter and trash removal, water quality testing, storm drain decaling, and some invasive species removal.  

This year's kickoff will take place at Dudley Park starting at 8:45 am. A light breakfast will be provided, and a brief welcome program will take place at 9:15 am. The kickoff will conclude by 9:30 am to allow volunteers time to travel to their sites.

Rivers Alive is organized locally by Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful, ACC Solid Waste, ACC Transportation and Public Works/Stormwater Division, ACC Leisure Services, ACC Public Utilities/Water Conservation Office, ACC Code Enforcement, UGA's Office of Sustainability, the Upper Oconee Watershed Network, Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission, ACC Sustainability Department, ACC Planning, and UGA's Office of Service-Learning.

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We are not able to accommodate large group registrations. If you have a group that would like to volunteer at the same site, each individual must separately register through Engage Georgia.

Please pay particular attention to the details of each site (kid friendly, standard hazards, specific activities that you will complete during your time volunteering with Rivers Alive). Site specific details can be found on each individual registration page.

If you have any questions about Rivers Alive or the registration process, please message us through the GivePulse site or email us at athensriversalive@gmail.com.

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THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS! In 2025, 180 volunteers helped collect 4,056 pounds of trash & recycling and 34 tires. In addition, volunteers decaled 30 storm drains, surveyed 22 Marine Debris Tracker sites, and collected water samples from 22 sites/project. Athens-Clarke County is now cleaner and healthier, thanks to your hard work!