WORCESTER—As Earth Day approaches, Worcester is prepping to participate in a city-wide cleanup effort, joining a national initiative to foster environmental stewardship and community engagement centered around the 2024 theme, “Building Communities from the Ground Up.”
With more than 1,500 volunteers signed up for cleanup activities across the city at more than 75 sites, ranging from parks to waterways, the collective effort shows a growing awareness of the environment and willingness to pitch in.
As various groups mobilize to tackle litter, debris, and other environmental challenges, the community’s dedication to Earth Day initiatives continues to expand, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.
Earth Day is officially on April 22, with the first held in 1970 that “mobilized millions of Americans from all walks of life to birth the modern environmental movement,” according to Earthday.org. “Since then, Earth Day has evolved into the largest civic event on Earth, activating billions across 192 countries to safeguard our planet and fight for a brighter future.”
The Worcester Regional Environmental Council began coordinating the event in 1989, and it’s become a citywide tradition to usher in spring with a big cleaning.
This year’s organized cleanups are being held on Saturday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to noon. The event kicks off with a proclamation from Mayor Joe Petty at 8 a.m. at the REC YouthGROW Farm, 42 Lagrange St., Worcester. An after-party for participants takes place, also at REC YouthGROW, from noon to 2 p.m. that includes music, cookout food, and activities.
“Over the 34-year history of our Earth Day cleanups, we’ve seen a steady increase in participation,” said Katie Flanagan, who has been active with REC since 2018, and has coordinated the last four clean-up events. “At our 30th annual cleanup, our goal was to get 1,000 volunteers across 75 sites citywide, and we hit that target. Since then, registrations have been increasing consistently. This year, we’re thrilled to have reached 1,500 volunteers, a record for us. While new site registrations are closed, we’re still welcoming individual volunteers and groups of fewer than 5, and we expect our numbers to grow even more.”
REC’s annual Earth Day clean-up is a partnership with the city’s Department of Public Works & Parks, National Grid, and several sponsors.
“This event showcases how individuals from all walks of life can come together to make a meaningful impact in their communities,” said Steve Fischer, REC’s executive director. “When our efforts are combined in neighborhoods, towns, and cities throughout the country, they become part of a greater impact. Participating in Earth Day cleanups reminds us of all that can be achieved when we work together.”
To avoid clean-up bandits just “showing up,” all of the 70+ sites are not shared publicly, but assigned upon sign-up. Some of the areas included in the list are University Park Neighborhood, Patch Reservoir, West Boylston Street, Quinsigamond State Park, Blackstone River bike path, and the Worcester East Middle School.
When inquiring about Worcester’s “problem areas,” Fischer acknowledged the ongoing challenge of illegal dumping and litter across many neighborhoods in the city. Although not specifying particular locations, he noted the persistent nature of these issues. Fisher said that over more than three decades of coordinating the Earth Day event, they’ve seen tangible progress in the amount of trash citywide.
“The city manager’s office and the Department of Public Works and Parks have made significant strides in addressing these concerns,” he said, “and recent initiatives like the Worcester Green Corps have been helpful in augmenting the administration’s cleanup efforts by leveraging the involvement of nonprofit organizations and area businesses. In addition, concerned residents regularly take independent initiatives to clean up their neighborhoods, businesses, and homes throughout the year.”
Flanagan said the dedication to this effort is evident in the many repeat volunteers, with some who have been pitching in for more than 20 or 30 years. She said it’s as heartening to see the enduring commitment as it is to witness the increasing interest from new members and smaller groups eager to participate. It shows, Flanagan said, that awareness continues to grow, and adds that REC’s YouthGROW Program also hosts a cleanup at its farm each year.
“This has set a fantastic example of ways youth can get involved in the citywide event,” said Flanagan.
Additional youth groups involved this year include Worcester DYO, You INC., various Girl Scout Troops, and schools such as La Familia Chandler Magnet, Abby Kelley Foster Charter School and Bancroft School.
“Our theme for this year speaks to the essence of Earth Day—engaging in direct actions to celebrate our planet and our local neighborhoods,” said Flanagan. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see our community come together during this event, with everyone in their shirts and groups of neighbors and community members working side by side. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together to make our city even more beautiful and enjoyable for everyone.”
Fischer added, “While there’s more work to be done, we’re proud to be part of this ongoing, collective effort to keep our city clean and beautiful.”
Interested in participating in this year’s Earth Day Worcester cleanups? Visit this page to sign up, or for specific addresses of major cleanup sites to visit, contact Gwen Weissinger, REC Marketing & Communications Coordinator, at 774-253-2796.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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