Volunteers Remove 45,000 Pounds of Debris During Expanded Earth Month Effort

Portland, Ore. (May 4, 2026) — A record-breaking Earth Month initiative led by SOLVE has wrapped up with more than 5,000 volunteers contributing to cleanup and restoration efforts across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

For the first time, the annual program expanded beyond a single day into a month-long series of coordinated events throughout April. Organized in partnership with Portland General Electric, the initiative mobilized volunteers across more than 200 projects in cities including Portland, Vancouver, Salem, and Medford, as well as along the Oregon Coast and in rural communities.

Participants removed more than 45,000 pounds of litter and marine debris, cleared invasive species from half an acre of land and more than 50 trees, and mulched over 8,000 plants—efforts aimed at restoring natural spaces and protecting regional waterways.

Events ranged from urban cleanups to coastal restoration, showcasing widespread community engagement.

The initiative kicked off April 8 with a downtown cleanup at Director Park. Hosted alongside Fred Meyer and the Portland Trail Blazers, the event drew 89 volunteers and included a special appearance by team mascot Blaze the Trail Cat. Volunteers collected about 200 pounds of litter while enjoying music and community activities.

Mid-month, 75 volunteers gathered at Lents Park for a neighborhood cleanup featuring appearances by local baseball and softball mascots, adding a festive atmosphere to the work.

On Earth Day, more than 300 volunteers braved rainy conditions to remove over 1,000 pounds of litter from Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette River, one of the city’s most recognizable public spaces.

In Southern Oregon, the inaugural “Pick It Up, Medford!” event brought volunteers together at Pear Blossom Park, expanding SOLVE’s community cleanup model to new regions.

Along the coast, nearly 300 volunteers—many of them students—participated in a microplastic cleanup at Rockaway Beach, focusing on the growing issue of ocean pollution and its connection to inland waste.

The month concluded April 25 in Southeast Portland’s Sunnyside neighborhood with a combined cleanup and community parade celebrating environmental stewardship through art, music, and education.

“This year’s Oregon Spring Cleanup showed the incredible impact of expanding Earth Month into a full month of action,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “From Portland to Medford and communities along the coast, volunteers came together to make a difference where they live.”

Organizers say the success of the expanded format highlights growing public interest in hands-on environmental action and community-based solutions.

The 2026 Oregon Spring Cleanup was supported by a range of partners, including Clean Water Services, Metro, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, PepsiCo, and others.

Founded in 1969, SOLVE has grown from a grassroots effort into a nationally recognized model for volunteer-driven environmental stewardship, continuing to organize cleanups and restoration projects year-round.

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