JOIN A CLEANUP
ON BELLE ISLE
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In 2017, Keep Belle Isle Beautiful was created as Belle Isle Park’s first and only anti-litter campaign. Through this campaign, the Conservancy works together with park users, communities, corporations, and partner organizations to act locally while thinking globally and overall connect the Great Lakes region to the worldwide concern of single-use plastic pollution and marine litter.
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Cleanups are free, family-friendly events, welcoming volunteers of all ages! No RSVP is needed, however, volunteer waivers are required. Please dress for the weather predicted that day and bring a reusable water bottle.
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Check out cleanup dates and opportunities below for the 2023 season:
SECOND FRIDAY BELLE ISLE BEACH CLEANUPS
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Families, friends, and groups looking to meet up at the Belle Isle Beach and help Keep Belle Isle Beautiful are welcome to join us on the second Friday of each month, July – September. Beach cleanups are on land only.
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Location & Parking: Belle Isle Beach
Time: 9:30am - Noon
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Recurring date: Second Friday of each month, July through September
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July 14
In partnership with The Cleanup Club in observance of Plastic Free July
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August 11
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September 8
THIRD SATURDAY BELLE ISLE PARK
& CANAL CLEANUP
Join us on Saturdays this season for TWO ways to Keep Belle Isle Beautiful.
1. Volunteers can join the park cleanup on land. Park cleanups are perfect for individuals, families and groups seeking to make a positive impact at the park.
2. Volunteers can 'paddle against pollution' in the park’s canals. In this citizen science initiative in collaboration with Friends of the Detroit River, participants ages 18+ will remove and document the litter pollution from the canals on Belle Isle.
Participants will retrieve, sort, and record items found in an effort to understand our impact on litter pollution as a region with the support of BIC staff. Lifejackets are provided and required, as well as a volunteer waiver from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
A limited number of kayaks are provided for this program on a first come first served basis, or participants are welcome to bring their own.
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Recurring date: Third Saturday of each month, April through September
Time: 9:30am -Noon
Location and Parking: In front of the Belle Isle Aquarium
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April 22 - Belle Isle Spring Cleanup
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May 20
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June 17
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July 15
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August 19
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September 16 - International Coastal Cleanup Day
Questions? Contact Director of Sustainability& Advocacy, Genevieve Nowak, at nowakg@belleisleconservancy.org for more info.
CORPORATE DAY OF SERVICE - $2,500
DTE, Spring 2023
We believe it takes cross-sector collaboration to make a true local + global impact and would be honored to partner with your team for your corporate day of service! As a result of your financial contribution, we will coordinate and host a private Keep Belle Isle Beautiful cleanup for your team. And because we have 982 acres of outdoor space to work with, we can safely host groups of almost any size! We provide all the supplies needed for a successful cleanup, such as gloves, trash bags {made of recycled ocean plastic} hand sanitizer, and a fun map of the park- perfect for exploring!
Your volunteer day will be made into a fun team-building excursion that combines removing litter pollution while visiting popular (and lesser-known secret :) areas of the island. At the end of the cleanup, together we will weigh the litter pollution that your team collected (it makes for a fun competition!) and you will walk away knowing the metrics of the impact that you have made that day for Belle Isle, the Detroit River, and the Great Lakes region!
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Keep Belle Isle Beautiful Corporate Days of Service are available to groups of all sizes. Limited days are available - reserve your corporate day of service today! Contact Director of Sustainability
& Advocacy, Genevieve Nowak, at nowakg@belleisleconservancy.org for more info.
This program is sponsored by:
Weather-related cancelation policy for 'Keep Belle Isle Beautiful' cleanup events
On-land cleanups will occur rain or shine, however, programs involving kayaks will not occur in the rain. If at any time we experience lightning, thunderstorms, strong winds, rain heavy enough to impair vision, flooding, or extreme heat or cold, the cleanup will be canceled immediately. Safety is #1, at all times. Being an island-wide cleanup, in addition to the nature of being out in kayaks, we are logistically unable to make a single park-wide announcement ending the event. The above criteria are information for you to have in advance so that you are aware of the conditions in which we will immediately cancel and volunteers can self-end their cleanup efforts.
Participation Tips & Precautions
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Please email Genevieve at nowakg@belleisleconservancy.org if you have a kayak or another water vessel that you can bring to any scheduled cleanup.
Bags and gloves will be provided. Come alone, bring your family, or plan to meet up with friends. Groups welcome!
Please bring your reusable water bottle and stay hydrated. Please wear closed-toe shoes or boots and dress for the weather prediction of the day. Due to the nature of being outdoors, consider bringing your sunblock and bug spray.