It is starting …

the Biggest Clean-Up / Green-Up Movement in 50 Years

Saturday August 27th

Blackstone Valley RI & MA

AUGUST 27, 2022
Days Till We ZAP the Blackstone Once Again
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Volunteers Made It Happen in 1972

In September 1972, 10,000 volunteers lined the banks of the Blackstone River to remove tons of trash,
appliances, furniture, even cars and a school bus from its banks.
It became the largest one-day regional environmental clean-up in American history !
Again we are planning a massive clean up throughout the whole Blackstone Valley Watershed
in an effort to match the 10,000 volunteers that came out in 1972.

Will You Join Us in 2022?
Be a ZAPster – Volunteer

The Blackstone River in 1972
The Blackstone River today

Today, there are still many challenges facing the Blackstone River

While less visible than the large debris on the Blackstone’s banks in 1972;
pollutants, litter, erosion, invasive species, and maintaining down river debris are some issues we are facing in 2022.
Today we understand the river and our surrounding waterways are influenced by behaviors
not just along the banks, but anywhere in the Blackstone Watershed.

“Operation Zap didn’t end on September the 9th (1972)… It only began.” – David M. Rosser

David M. Rosser

Get inspired by Zap 1972...
and the efforts of over 10,000 people

If you care about the environment...we need you in 2022 at ZAP50!

ZAP past, present and future

Identifying efforts throughout the Blackstone River Watershed and continuing to bring our goals together in a single effort, the volunteers of  ZAP 50 will make a stance for the environmental success of the past, the present, and most importantly for the future.

Join the movement for these milestones:

    1. Organize on August 27, 2022 for a 27-town watershed-wide clean-up, with a goal of 10,000 people, the largest Blackstone Valley clean-up since 1972

    2. Celebrate on September 10, 2022 at Old Slater Mill the work that has been done over the last 50 years and reinvigorate the environmental movement of the 1970’s

    3. Launch a $100,000 annual, federally-legislated act called: Bring Back the Blackstone, to keep the river clean in perpetuity

VOLUNTEER NOW
DONATE
SPONSOR

ZAPsters of the Past

Did you attend Operation ZAP in 1972?
We would love to hear about the original day from those who attended.
Share your memories.

Help Identify Project Sites

Know an area you wish was litter-free?  Or have a project you need volunteers to help you complete? 
Let us know.  Hopefully we can get a team to tackle that project.

ZAP 50 Events

Enjoying and caring for the Blackstone River and surrounding watershed goes on all year long.
See What’s Happening

ZAP50 Project Team

These organizations and individuals are spearheading our ZAP 50th Anniversary events.

           

  • ZAP50 Partners

    Town of North Smithfield, RI
    City of Central Falls, RI
    Town of Burrillville, RI
    City of Central Falls, RI
    City of Woonsocket, RI
    City of East Providence, RI
    Town of  Millbury, MA

  • Organizations In Action
    GZA GeoEnvironmental
    Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful