Since 1967, The Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region has organized Operation Clean Stream, one of the country’s most significant and longest-running river restoration projects. Every August, volunteers take to the Meramec River and its tributaries, working to undo the damage caused throughout the year by flooding, careless littering, and the unlawful dumping of debris. Volunteers participate in canoes and boats, on the shore, in nearby parks, and along trails.
2022
Registration for Operation Clean Stream 2022 is OPEN! This is one of the largest river clean-up efforts in the country and we are excited to offer a new volunteer portal to make it easy for you to register, receive updates about your clean-up, and share your experience with us.
Click here to register and learn more about how to join a team and Get Connected with the Open Space Council.
We are proud to be celebrating 55 years of Operation Clean Stream (OCS) this year and whether you are a returning volunteer or are new to the clean up we hope you will join us!
We organize clean-ups for groups, organizations, and corporate and small businesses. There are also sponsorship opportunities available. So please contact us if you have a group interested in volunteering or an organization interested in becoming a sponsor.
2021
In 2021 our #OperationCleanStream event took place from August 21st thru the 29th. The format of these clean-ups was a hybrid of both self-guided independent and group-led sites.
The Annual Operation Clean Stream group clean-ups and picnics took place on August 28th, 2021, at various locations throughout the Meramec Watershed. Over 2,000 volunteers participated as we celebrated 54 years of improving local rivers and open spaces! This year there were both group and self-guided clean-up options. Volunteers signed up to participate anytime between August 21st and 29th or in group clean-ups on August 28th. In addition, Our Passport 2 Clean Water Event also took place in a socially distanced format with safety in mind. Read more about last year’s Passport 2 Clean Water Event on our Blog.
Over the last couple of years, we have seen how important open spaces and clean water are to our communities’ health and well-being. So we thank you for helping to keep them beautiful and clean! Click here for this year’s Operation Clean Stream Program Report.
Special thanks to our partners, Great Rivers Greenway, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Conservation Federation of Missouri, Missouri Stream Teams, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri State Parks, Saint Louis County Parks, and many more for supporting this year’s event!
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Thanks to all who volunteered for Operation Clean Stream 2021!
Additional thanks to Bayer, Great Rivers Greenway, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Missouri American Water, the Meramec River Recreation Association, On the Run, Missouri Stream Teams, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri State Parks, Saint Louis County Parks, and so many more for supporting Operation Clean Stream 2021!