MORE THAN 1,600 VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THE 7^th ANNUAL CHARLES RIVER EARTH DAY CLEANUP

Boston, MA - April 29, 2006 - On Saturday April 29, 2006, more than one thousand six hundred volunteers and community leaders joined forces to clean the banks of an 80-mile stretch of the Charles River at the 7^th Annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup. 

Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Secretary Stephen Pritchard and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Stephen Burrington kicked off the event at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade with more than 1,600 volunteers, including local school children and college students, joining them to pick up trash, debris, and other objects from the banks of the river in an effort to improve the river’s health and make it more beautiful. “It's great to look out and see so many volunteers. The effort put toward cleaning the Charles has been amazing. Over the past few years we have made huge improvements bringing the EPA grade for the Charles River up to a B+. I look forward to continuing this work with our many partners and volunteers.   The River may get a B+ but the volunteers deserve an A+,” said Secretary Pritchard. 

Underscoring the importance of the river in years past and protecting it today, State Senator Steven A. Tolman said the following to a hundred volunteers in Watertown: “The Charles River was a critical part of Boston's rich and storied past. It is our responsibility to preserve and maintain the river so that it can also serve as an important and necessary part of Boston's future - the Charles River Cleanup is critical to achieving that goal. Through the Cleanup, we come together as a community and demonstrate our commitment to the preservation of the environment for future generations to come.” Other event organizers included the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA); Massachusetts Community Water Watch (MCWW), a project of the MASSPIRG Education Fund, AmeriCorps, and the Massachusetts Service Alliance; the Charles River Stream Teams; the Clean Charles Coalition; the Charles River Conservancy; and the Esplanade Association.

After the cleanup, volunteers were treated to a performance by the James Williams Trio at DCR’s Artesani Playground Park in Allston-Brighton. Free food and beverage were also provided for the participants. The entertainment capped off a productive and rewarding day beautifying one of Boston’s and Eastern Massachusetts’ premier attractions. All volunteers received a T-shirt designed by Massachusetts College of Art student Ray Heekin.

Material and financial contributions were provided by: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation; Abt Associates; Au Bon Pain; Brandeis University; Building 19; Charles River Yacht Club; Charlesgate Yacht Club; Community Rowing, Inc.; Cygnet Rowing Club; Doubletree Guest Suites; Durkin Company; Equity Residential; Finagle A Bagel; Genzyme Corporation; Harvard University; Harvey's Hardware, Needham; Home Depot Community Impact Grants; Hyatt Regency Cambridge; Lasell College; Lowe's Home Improvement; Massachusetts General Hospital; MIT Environmental, Health and Safety Programs; Museum of Science; Northeastern University; Roche Bros/Sudbury Farms; Royal Sonesta Hotel; Patagonia; Pfizer Global Research and Development; Polaroid Corporation; Roche Brothers Supermarket; Starbucks; Staples; Triumvirate Environmental; Watertown Yacht Club; and Whole Foods Markets.