Cleaner Rivers, Stronger Communities: Highlights from the 2025 Annual SuAsCo Rivers Cleanup

October 10, 2025

OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Advancement | Published Oct 10, 2025

 

On Saturday, September 27, more than 70 volunteers came together across seven sites in the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord river watershed for OARS 3 Rivers’ Annual Cleanup. From Hopkinton to Stow, and from Framingham to Concord, families, scout troops, and local organizations joined forces to make a visible difference for our 3 rivers.

 

Volunteers from the Concord Cleanup—Assabet River & Nashoba Brook—gather after a successful day of restoring their local waterways. The collected debris, including a found LP record, was later transformed into art during the River Litter Art-Making Workshop, led by Ann Sussman of Art for All in partnership with OARS 3 Rivers. The resulting works are featured in the River Litter exhibit at Concord’s Fowler Library, on display October 8–November 15.

 

Armed with gloves, boats, and community spirit, volunteers pulled out an astonishing array of debris—everything from tires and shopping carts to sheet metal, barrels, and old pallets. This year’s haul tells a story of progress: we’re finding fewer large debris than in past years (like cars and couches), but tires remain a recurring issue. Each piece of trash removed helps restore cleaner flow, safer wildlife habitat, and a more beautiful river experience for all.

 

Volunteers stand beside two canoes filled with tires and large debris collected during the Assabet River Tire Cleanup. Tire disposal in our rivers is an increasing concern, and efforts like this help protect water quality, wildlife, and the overall health of the Assabet River.

 

“These cleanups are about more than just picking up trash,” said Heather Conkerton, OARS’ Ecological Restoration Coordinator. “Every bag filled is a step toward healthier rivers, and every volunteer becomes part of our watershed’s recovery story.”

 

OARS Ecological Restoration Coordinator Heather Conkerton carefully holds a crayfish discovered among the removed debris—one of many small river dwellers that remind us why this work matters. The crayfish was safely returned to the Assabet River. Photo Credit: Ellie Sablak

 

A special thank you goes out to our dedicated site leaders who coordinated cleanups in Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Framingham, Hudson, Hopkinton, Maynard, and Stow—and to the town Department of Public Works crews who provided essential support in hauling away collected debris. We couldn’t do this without our partners.

 

As always, the day included a few memorable moments, from kids proudly hoisting their first found tire to OARS’ canine ambassador, Ashley the Vizsla, reminding everyone that stewardship can be both serious work and serious fun.

 

A team of local scouts stands proudly atop a mountain of tires pulled from the Assabet River—proof that community effort and a little determination can make a big impact for our rivers.

 

OARS’ canine ambassador Ashley joins volunteers in a canoe, scouting the Assabet River for debris. With her paws on deck and eyes on the water, she’s a reminder that everyone—human or otherwise—has a role to play in caring for our rivers.

 

Check out the full 2025 Annual 3 Rivers Cleanup photo album, featuring volunteer teams in action and the remarkable results of their efforts, here.

 

If you spot tires, large debris, or other hazards along the rivers, please report them to OARS (office@oars3rivers.org) so we can continue to address pollution hot spots year-round.

 

Thank you to everyone who showed up, pitched in, and proved once again that when our community comes together, the rivers win.

River Log