Beach & Riverside Cleanup Returns This September, Connecting Communities Across Oregon And Southwest Washington (Photo) - 08/27/26
Portland, Ore., August 27, 2026 – From inland neighborhoods to rivers and the Oregon Coast, SOLVE is bringing communities together this September for its annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup, taking place September 18–27 across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Volunteer registration is now open for cleanup and restoration projects that help keep litter out of local waterways and protect the places communities love.
For four decades, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has connected volunteers across the region in a shared effort to remove litter, restore natural areas and protect beaches, rivers and public lands. This year, the event is joined by returning regional events including Pick It Up, Milwaukie! and Pick It Up, Bend!, both entering their second year, as well as SOLVE’s Clean & Green Series in Vancouver.
“Protecting our waterways starts in the communities where we live, work and play,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “Every piece of litter we prevent from entering a storm drain, creek or river is one less piece that can travel downstream. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup reminds us that our actions are connected, from inland communities to rivers and ultimately to the coast.”
From Inland Communities to the Coast
Litter doesn’t stay where it is dropped. Rain and runoff can carry trash from streets, parks and neighborhoods into storm drains, streams and rivers, eventually reaching the ocean. Protecting our waterways therefore requires action at every point along the way.
The Beach & Riverside Cleanup brings that source-to-sea connection to life, with volunteer opportunities ranging from coastal beaches and riverbanks to neighborhood parks and community spaces. Together, volunteers remove litter, restore natural areas, and help protect the waterways that connect communities across the region.
The 2026 cleanup also aligns with several national and global efforts highlighting the importance of protecting waterways and public lands, including International Coastal Cleanup Day (September 19), National Public Lands Day (September 26) and World Rivers Day (September 27).
Regional Action, Close to Home
The Beach & Riverside Cleanup is part of SOLVE’s broader network of opportunities for communities to take action close to home.
After successful inaugural events last year, Pick It Up, Milwaukie! and Pick It Up, Bend! are returning for a second year. These large-scale community cleanups bring residents, businesses and volunteers together to care for the places they know and love, and help prevent litter from reaching local waterways.
In Vancouver, SOLVE’s Clean & Green series brings cleanup and restoration projects to community-loved parks and natural areas. SOLVE is also making it easier for local leaders to organize their own volunteer projects through its Vancouver supply hub, providing access to cleanup supplies and resources closer to where community action is happening.
Together, these efforts reflect SOLVE’s year-round approach to community action: connecting people with opportunities to care for their neighborhoods, natural areas and waterways while contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more resilient region.
Key Events Across the Region
Coastal Cleanups
Communities in six Oregon counties, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Clatsop, Curry and Benton, will participate in the Beach & Riverside Cleanup, with the majority of coastal cleanup events taking place on International Coastal Cleanup Day, September 19. Volunteers will come together to remove litter from beaches and coastal areas, joining a global effort to protect waterways and prevent marine debris from reaching the ocean.
Pick It Up, Milwaukie! | September 19
In partnership with Bob’s Red Mill, SOLVE is bringing back Pick It Up, Milwaukie! for its second year. Volunteers will clean up downtown streets, business corridors and Milwaukie Bay Park, including the river’s edge, before joining the community’s Sustainability Fair.
Clean & Green Vancouver | September 19
SOLVE’s Clean & Green series will bring volunteers together at Vancouver’s Waterfront Park, downtown and the Renaissance Trail to remove litter and care for community spaces. The event highlights SOLVE’s continued commitment to bringing cleanup and restoration opportunities to communities across Southwest Washington.
Pick It Up, Bend! | September 27
Returning for its second year, Pick It Up, Bend! will bring volunteers together at the Old Mill District and Hayden Homes Amphitheater to clean up Bend’s community spaces. The cleanup will lead into SOLVE’s partnership with the Jack Johnson concert that evening as a Village Green partner, extending the day’s focus on community and environmental action. (Participation in the cleanup does not provide access to concert tickets).
Get Involved
SOLVE invites individuals, families, schools, businesses and community groups to join a Beach & Riverside Cleanup project, participate in a regional event or explore opportunities to lead their own cleanup or restoration project.
Whether volunteers are picking up litter along the coast, restoring a neighborhood park or cleaning up an inland community, every action helps protect the waterways that connect us all.
Registration and event information are available at solveoregon.org/beach-riverside
2026 Beach & Riverside Cleanup Sponsors
SOLVE's 2026 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is proudly supported by Clean Water Services, Metro, National Recreation and Park Association, Oregon State Park & Recreation, Owens Corning, Tillamook, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., and KOIN.
About SOLVE
SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solve.org for more information or follow SOLVEPNW on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.
