By mid-April, cleanup season was fully underway as volunteers gathered at Erskine Place in Co-op City, an area where trash unfortunately builds up regularly. Keeping these river access points clean not only helps stop litter from washing into the Hutchinson River, but also makes these spaces more welcoming for the community to enjoy and connect with nature. Throughout the cleanup, local residents stopped to thank volunteers, share their appreciation, and ask how they could ge

Not every restoration project involves garbage bags. At Twin Lakes, the Hutchinson River Restoration Project partnered with the Westchester Parks Foundation on an invasive species removal project focused on restoring native habitat along the waterway. Volunteers worked together to cut back invasive plants that were crowding out native vegetation and threatening the health of the ecosystem. Removing invasive species is a critical part of restoration work because it helps prote

In late March, the Hutchinson River Restoration Project partnered with NYC H2O for a shoreline cleanup along Pelham Bay Park. With the help of 30 dedicated volunteers, more than half a ton of trash was removed from the beach and surrounding shoreline. The debris collected ranged from large items, including a floating dock device, to countless small pieces of plastic and litter that threaten fish, birds, and the overall health of the waterway. Every piece removed helps protect