Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup Returns for 2026
The 31st Annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at more than 90 locations across the Milwaukee River Basin. Registration is now open for what has become one of the region’s signature spring volunteer events.
Each year, thousands of volunteers fan out across the basin to remove trash, improve habitat, and help protect the rivers, streams, and wildlife that make southeastern Wisconsin special. This year’s cleanup comes with an added goal: organizers are attempting to set a world record for the largest number of volunteers participating in a one-day, multi-site river cleanup.
That means signing up is about more than lending a hand for a few hours. It is a chance to be part of a moment that is both meaningful and historic.
Volunteers can expect a simple but powerful morning of action: showing up, working together, and making a visible difference in neighborhoods and natural areas throughout the watershed. It is also an easy way for families, friends, coworkers, and community groups to spend time together while giving back.
There are plenty of reasons to join. Participants will help protect local rivers and wildlife, connect with others who care about the community, and take part in an ambitious record-breaking effort. Those who arrive early at their selected site can also pick up a limited-edition commemorative T-shirt, designed by Milwaukee illustrator Sam Hanson, while supplies last.
After the cleanup, volunteers are invited to keep the momentum going at a zero-waste Earth Day Celebration from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson Museum, hosted by Rock the Green. Cleanup participants can enjoy a complimentary beverage for those 21 and older, courtesy of Molson Coors, along with free native trees and shrubs thanks to MMSD and Johnson’s Nursery. The celebration will also feature live music, community connections, and a chance to reflect on the collective impact of the day.
It is the kind of event that combines service, celebration, and stewardship in one memorable Saturday.
For anyone looking for a hands-on way to celebrate Earth Day season, this is a great opportunity to jump in. Come for the cleanup, stay for the celebration, and leave knowing you helped make a difference.
Event details
What: 31st Annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup
Presented by: Tru Earth
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: More than 90 sites across the Milwaukee River Basin
After-party: Zero-waste Earth Day Celebration
When: 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Harley-Davidson Museum
Register: bit.ly/MRKCleanup31
Spring is one of the best times to get outside and do something good for the community, and this year Milwaukee Riverkeeper is inviting people to do exactly that.