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About

С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Big Sweep is a citizen volunteer effort to protect our watersheds, water quality, and make our environment litter-free. For over 30 years, Big Sweep has coordinated cleanups in С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County focused on watersheds, streams, lakes, and wetlands that ultimately lead to the ocean. We rely on our lead volunteers, Zone Captains, who conduct cleanups to dispose of trash and recycling across various locations in С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County. 

All supplies and logistics are provided for events. Big Sweep is a program of С»ÆѼÊÓƵ Soil and Water Conservation District.

Why is Big Sweep important?

Big Sweep plays an important role in watershed protection by keeping С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County’s waterways litter-free, ecologically viable, and safe for drinking or other designated water uses. Big Sweep volunteers are often the first ones who bring illicit discharges and other potential pollutants to their local government’s attention. Volunteers pull out the garbage that can harm the water you drink, the places you fish, the wildlife you love, and the beautiful waterways you canoe, fish, and swim in!

Where can I volunteer in С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County?

Big Sweep welcomes willing and enthusiastic volunteers! We work with dedicated citizens, city and county parks, civic organizations, youth groups, schools, churches, and businesses to conduct numerous cleanups per season. Most events are in spring (March & April) and fall (September & October) - so check back often! Events happen on land and on the water throughout Ð¡»ÆѼÊÓƵ County. If you know of a littered area that could use a sweep, contact alexandra.heinemann@wake.gov.

Count your individual cleanups with CleanSwell!

Doing a litter cleanup at home? Check out our partner's, Ocean Conservancy, FREE that anyone can use anywhere, anytime! Your data will be tallied into the International Coastal Cleanup numbers. When logging your data, start your Group Name with "С»ÆѼÊÓƵ_" and finish with a unique name like "С»ÆѼÊÓƵ_Troop345" or "С»ÆѼÊÓƵ_SmartElem4th" Avoid using "FallsLake" or "NeuseRiver," as that may confuse your data with that of many other groups. The app is easy to use, plus it tracks EVERY cleanup and EVERY piece of litter you enter. As an extra incentive, virtual badges are awarded for reaching collection milestones! Have fun and follow these

Friends of С»ÆѼÊÓƵ Soil and Water District

The Friends of the С»ÆѼÊÓƵ Soil and Water Conservation District is a volunteer non-profit group of local citizens who support and champion the work of the District. Big Sweep programming, along with other projects and programs in С»ÆѼÊÓƵ Soil and Water, is aided by funds from donations through the Friends.

Please visit their for more information!