Chicago River Day 2024 - Somme Woods

Site Captain: Paula Kessler and Eriko Kojima

Meeting location: Parking lot

The Chicago-Calumet River system is healthier now than it’s been in 150 years, but litter continues to be detrimental, hurting people and wildlife and causing negative community, economic, and public health impacts. You can make a difference by volunteering with Friends of the Chicago River on Chicago River Day - our fun, free, family-friendly annual cleanup on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Chicago River Day is an outdoor event located at over 70 sites including city parks, forest preserves, school yards, and businesses along the banks of the Chicago-Calumet River system and its tributaries. At most sites, volunteers will pick up trash, and in select locations volunteers may help with additional stewardship activities like removing invasive species and trail maintenance, depending on the needs of the site.

Volunteers who register before Friday, May 3, 2024 receive a Chicago River Day T-shirt highlighting this year’s featured creature, the Black-crowned Night Heron. Registration for Chicago River Day is open until a site reaches capacity. Children eight and up are eligible to volunteer. Younger family members are welcome to observe provided they are supervised by an adult. Advance registration requested.

Have a question? Visit Friends' Chicago River Day FAQ page for more information about how to best prepare for the day and for general information. Teamwork is needed to create a Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River. We appreciate all the volunteers, partners and sponsors who make this event possible.

Liability Waivers

Waivers are to be read and digitally agreed to as part of the registration process. This means volunteers need to register individually; guardians need to register on behalf of their children. Please check the box below indicating you’ve read and agree to the terms of the waivers for this location:

Waivers -

Friends Waiver

Forest Preserves Waiver

Look forward to seeing you there!

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Host or Publisher Friends of the Chicago River