Weldon Spring Missouri River Cleanup 2023

166

Volunteers

Tons of Trash

Tons of Tires

Weldon Spring Conservation Area
Weldon Spring, Missouri
Saturday, September 16th, 2023

Missouri River Relief will be hosting a large-scale river cleanup out of the Weldon Spring Conservation Area boat launch. Just outside of the St. Louis metropolitan area, this beautiful stretch of river is still no stranger to trash. We found all types of weird items the last time we were in Weldon Spring, including a 5-gallon unopened bucket of pickles! Don't believe us? Check out our results from the 2019 Weldon Spring Cleanup! See what these cleanups are about below and register for a day of stewardship on the Missouri River!

Check out our Flickr album from our 2019 Weldon Spring Cleanup!

Cleanup Details

Cleanup Headquarters
Weldon Spring Conservation Area Boat Launch
6990 S Missouri 94, St Charles, MO 63304 is the closest physical address. The boat launch can be found from the link above or the step by step directions at the bottom of this page.

Saturday, September 16, 2023
Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. and volunteers will return to the boat ramp anywhere from 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. for lunch.

Registration Opens July 14

Volunteer Information

What to bring

Dress in layers for changing weather conditions and prepare for cold weather. We will be there rain or shine! Wear work-appropriate clothing. Long pants are strongly recommended. Sturdy shoes or boots are required; no flip-flops or open-toed shoes are allowed on boats. Bring sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle and snacks to tide you over until lunch. Always expect muddy conditions.

What you get

Volunteers will receive a free Big Muddy boat ride, cool t-shirt, trash bags, gloves, life jackets, and a reusable water bottle. Lunch will be provided and will be waiting for you when you get back to the boat ramp between 11:30 - 12:30.

Come prepared

Check out our Know Before You Go page to see answers to frequently asked questions and what to expect.

If you are bringing a child under 18 you are not the legal guardian of, make sure to download, print and obtain a signature on our minor risk release form. Adults and minor accompanied by legal guardians will sign risk release forms during on-site registration.

What's next

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Two weeks before the cleanup you will receive an email from us with some additional information. The week of the cleanup you will receive an additional email from us with any additional information you need to know, including weather and river conditions. If you are not receiving emails from us, make sure to check your junk folder.

Event Extras

When you return to the boat ramp, there will be two activities you can participate in:

Trash Contest - make sure to bring your best trash find back with you to compete for a prize. Get creative! You and others will put your finds up against each other and the crowd will decide which one is the best. There will be numerous prizes.

Missouri River Explorer Badge Program - designed for ages 5 to 18. The badge is gained upon the completion of the Activity Card, which includes participation in activities and events that fall under the three tenets of the river. Explore, Learn and Protect. Stop by the booth to earn your badge!

Directions

Weldon Spring Conservation Area Boat Launch

From the West:

Take I-70 east until you reach exit 210A to merge onto I-64 E/US-40 E/US-61 S towards Chesterfield
Continue on I-64 E for 9.6 miles and take exit 9 for MO-94 towards St. Charles/Defiance
Follow the outer road past highway K which will be on the left, and a commuter parking lot which will be on your right until you come to highway MO-94
Turn right onto MO-94 and continue for about 5 miles until you see the conservation area entrance on the left and follow the gravel road to the boat ramp
Missouri River Relief signs will lead you from the entrance to the conservation area to the boat ramp

From the East:

From downtown St. Louis take I-64 W to MO-94 W in Weldon Spring.
Use the 2^nd from the right lane to take exit 10 towards MO-94 W
Turn left onto MO-94 W and continue for about 5 miles until you see the conservation area entrance on the left and follow the gravel road to the boat ramp
Missouri River Relief signs will lead you from the entrance to the conservation area to the boat ramp

From the South:

Take I-55 N to exit 196 to merge onto I-270 W/Chicago/I-255 E and stay left at the fork to continue west onto I-270 towards Kansas City
Continue on I-270 N for 11.5 miles, then use the right 2 lanes to take exit 12-12A-12B to merge onto I-64 W
Continue on I-64 W for 15 miles then use the 2^nd from the right lane to take exit 10 towards MO-94 W
Turn left onto MO-94 W and continue for about 5 miles until you see the conservation area entrance on the left and follow the gravel road to the boat ramp
Missouri River Relief signs will lead you from the entrance to the conservation area to the boat ramp