The City of Chilliwack has partnered with the Chilliwack/Vedder River Cleanup Coalition (CVRCC), and the Fraser Valley Regional District for the Adopt a River program, aimed at improving the environment of the Vedder River and Canal through organized, regular cleanup events.

Since 2002 the Adopt a River clean up events have collected over 50 tonnes of waste from the Vedder River shoreline. Events are typically held every April, July and September.

The 2010 Adopt A River clean up events will be held on April 17, July 24 and September 26th,  BC River's Day.

Registration for the April and July events will be held at the Great Blue Heron Reserve. For the September event, registration and festivities will place at the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club. In September 2009 approximately 250 participants joined in the cleanup. A total of 1990kg of solid waste and recyclables were collected. 

Adopt-a-River Program

Under the Adopt a River program, community groups adopt sections of the Vedder River or Canal and are responsible for providing litter/garbage collection services three times per year.

For each cleanup event, the City of Chilliwack provides garbage bags, free disposal at the Bailey Landfill, and collection service for large items, which are too bulky or heavy for the volunteer groups.  Each participating group will be acknowledged through an Adopt a River sign installed in their adopted section. 

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of this program:

• First Class Waste Services
• Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
• Tim Hortons
• Barton Insurance Brokers
• Chilliwack Dart & Tackle
• Fishing with Rod. com

First Class Waste Services generously donated their services in the amount of $250.00 for transporation of roll off containers used during the cleanup. First Class Waste Services will also be donating container transporation services for the 3 Adopt-a-River events held in 2010. The City of Chilliwack would like to thank First Class Waste Services and other sponsors for helping to keep Chilliwack clean and beautiful!