Become a Volunteer for the 5th Annual

Fox River Clean-up Event — Saturday, September 16, 2023

It's our Fox River Day!
5th Annual River Clean-Up Event in St. Charles
Saturday, September 16th from 9:00am – 11am

Volunteer to join the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, The Conservation Foundation and the St. Charles Park District for the 5th annual volunteer river clean-up event.
         
Come as a family, a team of 3-6 or on your own.
Work from the shoreline or from kayaks and canoes.

Starting Location:Ferson Creek Park, St. Charles, IL
Check-in, pick-up tools and receive location assignment
Date and Times: Saturday, September 16, 2023
Starting time: 9:00 am.
Day of event contact: Rich Anderson 630-877-0584

Complete the volunteer registration and waiver below and mark your calendar to join us!

Fox River Clean-Up Volunteer Notes and Requirements

All Volunteers must agree to and sign the River Clean-Up Waiver form. Contact information provided on this form will only be utilized for the purpose of contacting volunteers with information specifically pertaining to the duties, responsibilities, and assignment for the River Clean-Up. All such contact information will not be shared or sold.

  • Before You Start:

    • Wear a hat, long pants, and sturdy footwear. No flip-flops or open-toed shoes. Bring work gloves.
    • Grabbers, pickers, and trash bags will be provided. Long handled nets are also welcome.
    • Canoes and kayaks are welcome. Please make a notation on the registration form if you plan to work the cleanup from a watercraft.
    • Sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent are recommended.
    • Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
    • Additional water and first-aid kits will be available at Ferson Creek Park.
    • A light "fanny" pack is good for hands-free carrying of water, snacks, cell phone, additional supplies, etc.

  • During the Clean-up:

    • Each volunteer will be assigned to a specific clean-up location with a team Captain. Check in with the team Captain upon arrival to your clean-up location. The Captains will be wearing a yellow t-shirt.
    • Follow CDC guidelines at the time of the event for COVID-19 safety practices.
    • DO pick up small pieces of trash (gum wrappers, cigarette butts, etc.).
    • Stay aware of the members of your group and your surroundings to help ensure your safety.
    • The riverbanks can be steep or slick. if you are picking up trash from the edge of the river, watch your footing. Take caution if you plan to step into the river. The mud can be very deep.
    • Leave items that may be habitat such as poris concrete and rocks, or wood debris heavily covered with algae.
    • Use a grabber or picker, or long-handled net to retrieve trash. If the item isn't readily removable, leave it. Report the item to your Team Captain.
    • If you find any extremely heavy material to be removed, team up. Roll tires, barrels, etc. to remove mud before trying to move them from the riverbank to the path.
    • If you find something you believe maybe hazardous materials, such as car batteries, jugs of oil, or pesticides, bag them separately, and report your find to the Team Captain.
    • Watch for Poison Ivy and Stinging Nettles if you are working in a wooded location.

  • Finishing Up

    • Return your supplies and empty trash bags to your team Captain. If you return supplies directly to the registration area at Ferson Creek Park, be sure your returns are checked- in.
    • Take your trash bags and larger items to the designated area for pick up by the St. Charles Park District. Or, bring the filled trash bags and larger items back to Ferson Creek Park and place them next to the dumpster.
    • Good work! Have a celebratory photo taken with your trash.
    • Report the location of any large objects, hazardous materials, etc. that needs to be picked up at your location to the coordinators at Ferson Creek Park.

Thank you for filling out your information!

If you have any question please do not hesitate to call Rich Anderson at 630-877-0584
or email us at RiverCleanupSTC@gmail.com

We'll see you Saturday, September 16, 2023!

Simply fill out the form below, sign the electronic waiver,
and mark your calendar for Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Volunteer Registration, Waiver and Release form

WAIVER - PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE VOLUNTEER WAIVER & RELEASE

I know that I will be participating and/or volunteering in a physical activity event including lifting, grabbing, bending, twisting and using physical skills to remove plant materials and debris utilizing grabbers, pokers etc. which can be potentially hazardous activities. I should not participate/volunteer unless I am medically able. I understand and assume all risks associated with participating and/or assisting in this Event and acknowledge it carries with it the potential for property loss, serious injury, or death. I understand the risks include, but are not limited to, those caused by terrain, falls, contact with other participants, lack of hydration, traffic, obstacles, fire, weather, bee stings or bites, defective equipment, actions of other people including, but not limited to, participants, volunteers, spectators, coaches, event officials and event monitors, and/or Administrators of the event.


I acknowledge that I will follow current CDC recommended guidelines pertaining to COVID-19 for this event.


I hereby attest that:
* I am not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
* I have not recently tested positive for COVID-19
* I have not knowingly been recently exposed to COVID-19


Knowing these facts, and in consideration of your accepting my entry, I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators or anyone else who might claim on my behalf, promise not to sue, and waive, release and discharge the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, The Conservation Foundation and/or the St. Charles Park District, event volunteers, any and all sponsors, including their agents, employees, assigns or anyone acting for or on their behalf, from any and all claims or liability for death, personal injury or property damage of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of, or in the course of, my participation in this event including any liability that arises out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons named in this waiver. This Waiver and Release extends to all claims of every kind or nature whatsoever, foreseen, or unforeseen, known, or unknown.


The undersigned further grants full permission to the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, The Conservation Foundation, and the St. Charles Park District, its sponsors, and/or agents authorized by them to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures recording, or any other record of this event for any purpose. I acknowledge that the event organizers have the right to alter, change, cancel and/or postpone the event at their sole discretion.


I warrant that all statements made in this Release and Waiver are true and correct and I understand that the Organizers have relied on them in allowing me to participate in the event. I have read the foregoing, understand its contents, and intentionally and voluntarily certify compliance by accepting this waiver. Applications for minors will be accepted only with a parent's signature. (If a parent or legal guardian is signing on behalf of a minor, then the parent/guardian agrees to defend and indemnify all persons and entities listed in the second paragraph of this Waiver & Release against any claim brought against them by that minor at any time, arising out of the minor's participation in this event.)

  • over 18 years of age or
  • the parent/legal guardian of the event volunteer who is under 18 years of age or
  • the legal guardian of the event volunteer who is physically and/or mentally challenged
(We respect your privacy and will never release your personal information to any third party)

Mission Statement

The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles supports and advocates for projects that will enhance the downtown St. Charles riverfront environment as a destination for cultural, educational, recreational, and economic opportunities that are accessible to all. https://www.stcrivercorridor.org
The Conservation Foundation's mission is to improve the health of our communities by preserving and restoring open space and natural lands, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of our environment in northeastern Illinois. https://www.theconservationfoundation.org
Please help us make the Fox River Corridor of St. Charles a community centerpiece that is a destination for all. Donate a Bob Leonard Walkway Legacy Brick
  • The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles
  •   P.O. BOX 3753
    St. Charles, IL 60174

Useful Links

Mission Statement

The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles supports and advocates for projects that will enhance the downtown riverfront environment as a destination for cultural, educational, recreational, and economic opportunities that are accessible to all.

Copyright © 2023 River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles. All rights reserved.