Potomac River Cleanup: Volunteer, Organize, and Protect Our Waters
The Potomac River cleanup near Lottsburg, Virginia brings together volunteers, university students, and community members to remove plastic pollution before it reaches the Chesapeake Bay. Join Ocean Blue Project to protect wildlife, improve water quality, and restore one of America’s most important waterways.
The Potomac River flows through communities, history, and ecosystems that depend on clean water. But plastic pollution and debris continue to threaten wildlife, fisheries, and the Chesapeake Bay.
Ocean Blue Project is mobilizing volunteers, students, businesses, and marinas to remove plastic from the Potomac River — and we’re inviting you to lead the effort in your area.
Every cleanup prevents pollution from reaching the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
🌊 How to Volunteer for a Potomac River Cleanup
Volunteering is simple — and impactful.
What You’ll Do:
Remove plastic and shoreline debris
Collect microplastics
Track cleanup data
Help protect wildlife habitats
👉 Sign Up to Volunteer
What We Provide:
Safety guidance
Cleanup best practices
Data reporting tools
Impact verification letters (for service hours)
Whether you’re joining an organized event or cleaning up your local stretch of river, your effort makes a measurable difference.
👉 Sign Up to Volunteer
👥 Group & Community Cleanups
Community groups are powerful drivers of change.
We work with:
Churches
Civic organizations
Scout troops
Environmental clubs
Neighborhood associations
Start a Cleanup in Your Area of the Potomac River
Live along the Potomac? You can organize your own local cleanup with support from Ocean Blue Project.
How to Start a River Cleanup:
Choose a safe shoreline location
Gather a small volunteer team
Contact Ocean Blue Project for guidance and materials
Follow safety and environmental best practices
Track and report collected debris
We provide digital toolkits, promotional materials, and cleanup reporting forms to make organizing easy.
Your stretch of river matters.
🎓 University & Student Organization Cleanups
The Potomac River offers hands-on learning opportunities for students studying:
Environmental science
Marine biology
Sustainability
Public policy
Climate science
University cleanups can include:
Service-learning hours
Research data collection
Internship opportunities
Student leadership experience
We provide verification letters and impact data for academic use.
🏢 Corporate & Company Cleanup Events
Corporate river cleanups build team culture while demonstrating environmental responsibility.
Potomac River corporate cleanups are ideal for:
Employee volunteer days
CSR initiatives
Sustainability programs
Leadership retreats
Brand impact events
We provide:
Planning support
Safety guidelines
Branded impact reporting
Social media documentation opportunities
Show your employees and customers that your company takes environmental action seriously.
⚓ Marina & Waterfront Business Cleanups
Marinas and waterfront businesses play a vital role in protecting the Potomac River.
Partnering with Ocean Blue Project allows marinas to:
Host dockside cleanup events
Educate boaters about plastic pollution
Reduce marine debris near slips and moorings
Strengthen environmental stewardship branding
Marina cleanups help prevent fishing line, bottles, and packaging waste from entering open water.
👉 Partner Your Marina With Us
🌎 Why Potomac River Cleanups Matter
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay — one of the most productive estuaries in the world. Pollution entering the river does not stay local. It travels.
By organizing and supporting cleanups along the Potomac, we:
Protect marine wildlife
Improve water quality
Reduce microplastic spread
Support local fisheries
Safeguard coastal communities
Every bag collected protects downstream ecosystems.
💙 Support the Potomac River Initiative
Can’t volunteer in person?
You can still make a difference.
Donations help fund:
Cleanup supplies
Safety equipment
Waste disposal
Youth engagement programs
Data tracking & reporting
