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GIVE 365 Huron River Cleanup Program
2025 Huron River Cleanup scheduling is open!
Email volunteer@a2gov.org to schedule a river cleanup event after reading the materials below.
Overview Event Types Scheduling Love the River Days Additional Info
Overview
Each summer (June through September) we take groups of volunteers onto the Huron River to help clean up litter that accumulates in and along the river.
Groups can boat from Argo livery to Gallup livery (Argo-to-Gallup River Trip, option 1), which takes about 3 hours, or can spend 1.5 or 2 hours in the area of river surrounding Gallup livery. (Gallup River Cleanup, option 2) Volunteers pair up in canoes with trash pickers in hand to retrieve litter. All supplies are provided. It is as fun as it sounds! These clean ups can accommodate groups of 8 to 20 people, but we will also have events for individual volunteers and small groups. (4 or less) We will have availability for river clean-up events in June, July, August, and September, with extremely limited availability in October, pending weather. All river events and livery operations are dependent on river and weather conditions and are NOT guaranteed.
The City of Ann Arbor Canoe Livery is the largest livery in the state with over 100,000 people annually paddling boats from city liveries. This section of the Huron River has also become popular with people tubing the river, especially the Argo Cascades. With the increase in river recreation and being located in a busy urban environment, there is a constant need for on-going cleanup efforts. Thank you for wanting to volunteer!
Email volunteer@a2gov.org to book your group's river clean-up event today! Group leaders should check out our Coordinator Guide.
Clean-Up Event Types
There are two types of river clean-up events: the longer and more intensive Argo-to-Gallup River Trip (1) and the shorter but still very fun Gallup River Cleanup (2). Both take place on the Huron River, and both accommodate groups of 8 to 20 people. During the busy summer months river clean up volunteer events are scheduled Monday through Friday and not available on the weekends. After Labor Day river events are Wednesday through Friday only.
Argo to Gallup River Trip (1)
- Typically takes about 3.5 hours in total
- This can vary considerably due to river conditions, weather, how actively participants paddle, how much trash is present, shuttle wait time
- 4 mile trip down the Huron River through Ann Arbor, from Argo Livery to Gallup Livery
- Ends at Gallup, where a shuttle takes you back to Argo where the event started (shuttles depart every 20 minutes or so)
- Each boat (2 people per) must have at least 1 person with prior paddling experience!
- Volunteers WILL get wet and there is always a risk of a boat flipping over - if this sounds too intense, scroll down to the much less intense Gallup River Clean
- Volunteer groups (8-20 people) only
- Meet and start at Argo Livery (unless your event is after Labor Day, double check your meeting point!) in Argo Park
- Parking may be hard to find during the summer, view this parking guide for parking locations and plan to arrive early and to carpool if possible
- The clean up occurs mostly along the shoreline as you paddle/float downriver to Gallup Livery
Gallup River Cleanup (2)
- Shorter event, 1 to 2 hours
- Open to volunteer groups (8 to 20 people) + we plan 3 events for individuals/smaller groups (see below)
- Takes place in section of river with low current known as "Gallup Pond"
- Ideal for first-time paddlers
- There is always a risk of flipping a boat over, but it is a much less likely here than on the Argo-to-Gallup River Trip
- Starts and ends at Gallup Livery in Gallup Park
Scheduling - 2025 scheduling is open!
Spots are limited and events are first-come first-serve when the schedule opens. All events are WEEKDAYS ONLY. Email volunteer@a2gov.org to schedule after reviewing all the content on this site.
- Argo-to-Gallup River Trip (1) events can start between 9am and 3pm, and can last 2.5 - 4 hours.
- Gallup River Clean (2) events can start between 9am and 5pm, and can be scheduled for 1.5 or 2 hours.
- Only one event per group per year.
- Groups of 8 to 20 people only.
Group Event Slots:
(8-20 people, 1 event per group per year, 1 of each type of event may be scheduled for each week slot)
June
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July
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August
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September
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"Love the River Day" Events for Individuals & Smaller Groups
Our Love the River Day events are river cleaning volunteer workdays at Gallup Park in the area of river around the Gallup Livery. These events are open to individual volunteers and small groups, instead of just one larger group like the events listed above. You may end up in a boat with someone you meet at the event. These events may be subject to cancellation or rescheduling due to weather. No prior paddling experience is required.
2025 Dates TBD
Important Information
Safety
Volunteers who participate in River Trip events must be able to paddle a boat, and each 2-person boat must have at least one person who has prior experience on the water. There is an inherent risk to being on the water, boats may tip over and injuries may happen. Volunteer groups that have little-to-no paddling experience but still want to participate should pick a Gallup River Clean-up instead of an Argo-to-Gallup River Trip. Life jackets must be worn. Volunteers should bring water, wear sunscreen, and be prepared to get wet. Water shoes and dry bags (sold at the liveries) are recommended. Volunteers are not required to collect any trash that cannot be safely reached.
Weather and Water Conditions
- Forecasts of thunderstorms, heavy rain or other severe weather warnings will result in cancellation/rescheduling
- High river flow can make a river clean up unsafe, river trips will not take place if the flow is too low or too high
- Alternate options may be available in this circumstance (ie, kayaks only for low water conditions or Gallup area clean up only). GIVE 365 will monitor conditions.
What to Bring
We will provide the boats, life jackets, and the tools for collecting trash. Volunteers should bring water, wear sunscreen, wear weather-appropriate clothing that is okay to get wet. Water shoes are highly recommended, as are dry bags if volunteers plan on bringing a phone along. Both are sold at the liveries. Volunteers will need to bring a signed city volunteer waiver and a livery waiver.
Boat & Paddling information
Canoes are recommended as two volunteers can sit comfortably and collect the most litter, especially larger items. Depending on weight limits, a third volunteer may be able to sit in the middle of the boat if needed. Kayaks are available if the river is too low or depending on your group's preference and there are experienced paddlers volunteering.
- For Argo-to-Gallup river trips, canoes do not go through the Argo cascades. Volunteers enter the canoes at the base of the cascades
- A max of 10 canoes or kayaks are allotted for each river event, additional boats will have to be paid for
Check out this video from the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor as they join us on a river clean, demonstrating waste that is commonly found in the river.
