CLEANUP SCHEDULE

Fall is cleanup season at Friends of the Kaw! Read on to learn about all of our Fall 2023 volunteer opportunities.

Manhattan Battery Case Cleanup on the Kansas River

Saturday, September 30, 2023
Launch 8:00 AM
Manhattan Linear Park Boat Ramp (Big Blue River)
Manhattan, KS

Help Friends of the Kaw and our partners clean up the Kansas River!  There are very old battery cases that are embedded into the Kansas River sandbars.  These battery cases are made of rubber and were dumped over 40 years ago.  They have become brittle from the sun, so they break easily and are very heavy.  They are embedded in sandbars so we will be cleaning these up – by hand – for the 6th year!  

Our partners include:  

Kansas Deptartment of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), Manhattan Rotary Club, City of Manhattan Stormwater Department, BHS Construction, Students for Environmental Action, Kansas Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Manhattan Konza Rotary

An RSVP is REQUIRED at https://forms.gle/3198wZUFxKSSWm7D6. In order to join us,  you must be completely self sufficient.  Whatever you use as a vessel of transportation – kayak, canoe, motor boat, SUP – join us.  You must provide your own transportation, gear, food and water.  Life jackets are required to participate with FOK.  Let us know if you need any assistance and we can see what we can do to help. Email Dawn Buehler at riverkeeper@kansasriver.org with questions and for more information.

Join Friends of the Kaw and the City of Topeka Utilities Department to clean up trash on the riverbank in downtown Topeka!

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 PM
On the Kansas River levee (south riverbank) at North Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS

Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty, and bring gloves and water to drink. Friends of the Kaw will provide extra water, trash bags, and gloves for anyone who needs them.

An RSVP is requested at www.bit.ly/2023TopekaCleanupRSVP. Find the location at https://goo.gl/maps/s7xCZXWHaF1QvXGk7. Email Kim Bellemere at kim.bellemere@kansasriver.org with questions.

Thank you to the City of Topeka Utilities Department for their support! 

Join Friends of the Kaw and our partners to cleanup trash at the Rocky Ford Fishing area by Tuttle Creek Reservoir.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Rocky Ford State Fishing Area
Manhattan, KS

Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty, and bring gloves and water to drink. Friends of the Kaw will provide extra water and gloves for anyone who needs them. Thank you to the City of Manhattan Stormwater Department for donating trash bags and snacks!

An RSVP is requested at https://bit.ly/2023ManhattanCleanupRSVP. Find the location at https://goo.gl/maps/89X187TvPxmvH1z86. Questions? Email Kim Bellemere at kim.bellemere@kansasriver.org.

Thank you to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the City of Manhattan Stormwater Department for partnering with us on this project.

Watch for more cleanup news and events coming soon!