Walking For Rochester launches "Cleanup on the Water" program

Walking for Rochester launches "Cleanups On The Water" to celebrate 5 years of community Impact.

Rochester, NY — August 7^th 2025 — Walking For Rochester, a grassroots nonprofit committed to eliminating litter across the city, is proud to announce the launch of its fifth official program: Cleanups on the Water. The program mobilizes volunteers to remove litter from Rochester’s rivers and shoreline trails—both on foot and by boat.

This announcement comes as Walking For Rochester prepares to celebrate its 5-year anniversary next month. Since 2020, the organization has grown from a small group of volunteers into a citywide movement, removing thousands of pounds of litter through consistent cleanup events, a Certified Volunteer Program, corporate partnerships, and a growing list of community-driven initiatives.

“Cleanups on the Water is a natural progression of our mission. For five years, we’ve focused on keeping Rochester’s streets clean—but litter doesn’t stop at the curb, and neither will we. This program expands our work to the rivers and shorelines that are vital to our city’s health,” said Matt Apple, Co-founder and CEO of Walking For Rochester.

All necessary equipment is provided, and the organization is especially seeking experienced paddlers to assist with water-based litter removal. A seasonal waiver is required to participate in any cleanup event in 2025.

Volunteer sign-up and waiver information can be found at: https://walkingforrochester.org/cleanups-on-the water/.

This launch marks a significant milestone in Walking For Rochester’s ongoing effort to build a cleaner, more sustainable city—one cleanup at a time.