UPDATE: All of the available cleanup kits have been reserved. Please fill out the form below if you would like to be on the kit waiting list. We hope to have more kits available soon.
Thank you for your interest in the Lawrence Watershed Cleanup Project! This exciting program is aimed at keeping trash and litter out of the Kansas River by first removing it from our neighborhoods. This is a perfect project for individuals, community groups, scouts, families, and groups of friends. All you need are a couple of hours, a Watershed Cleanup Kit, and the desire to help make Lawence litter-free!
To participate, fill out the information below and request your FREE Watershed Cleanup Kit. After that, simply plan and host a cleanup in your neighborhood anytime between July 9th and August 16, 2026. You could even win some great prizes provided by Friends of the Kaw!
The cleanup kits contains everything you need to host a trash cleanup including:
- Instructions for how to conduct a cleanup and report your results.
- Trashbags
- 20 pairs of gloves
- Snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- Friends of the Kaw's Do-It-Yourself Cleanup Toolkit.
- A map of Lawrence-area watersheds.
- Educational information from Friends of the Kaw and the City of Lawrence Stormwater Management Program.
- A 5-gallon bucket to hold it all!
Pick up your cleanup kit on one of the dates listed in the form below. Be sure to indicate which date you will pick up your kit so we have it ready for you.
You and your team can win fun prizes just for picking up trash! Prizes will be awarded for:
- The largest area cleaned up by a small group of 1-5 people. Everyone will receive a coupon for a free kayak rental for any FOK public educational paddle trip in 2027 (All participants must be 5 years or older by the paddle trip date.)!
- Largest area cleaned up by a group of 6 - 25 people. Everyone on the team will receive an FOK bandana or ball cap!
- Best cleanup picture. Send us your cleanup pictures and you could win a $100.00 gift card to an area restaurant for a team celebration!
To be considered for one of the three prizes, you must complete your cleanup and report your findings to FOK by 8:00 PM on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Prize winners will be announced the following week along with the total amount of trash collected by all the participants. The report form link, instructions, and full prize details will be included in the cleanup kit materials.
Questions? Email Kim Bellemere, Director of Programming and Outreach, at kim.bellemere@kansasriver.org. Prizes donated by Friends of the Kaw. Project funding provided by the City of Lawrence Stormwater Management Program - Thank you for your support!
Every piece of trash we see on the ground is just one windy or rainy day away from a creek or stream. All the water in the creeks and streams in Lawrence eventually makes its way to the Kansas River, a critial wildlife corridor and a drinking water source for over 950,000 Kansans - including Lawrence! Thank you for doing your part to keep our Kansas River and our drinking water healthy!
NOTE: If you are unable to pick up your kit on your indicated date, please email Kim Bellemere at the address listed above. If you do not pick up your kit and we do not hear from you by the end of business on the day after your chosen pick up date, we will give your kit to someone on the waiting list.
