Dozens of Volunteers Join Salmon River Cleanup Day

Community members collect over 2,000 pounds of trash and debris from popular fishing destination

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:57pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a fishing rod and reel repeated in a tight grid pattern, representing the iconic equipment used by anglers on the Salmon River. The image utilizes flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn a common fishing tool into modern pop art.A community-driven cleanup effort aims to preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of the Salmon River, a popular destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.Oswego Today

Nearly 40 volunteers from various community organizations and groups gathered on Saturday, April 11 to clean up the Salmon River and surrounding areas in Oswego County, New York. The cleanup, organized by New York Sea Grant and Oswego County Tourism, filled three dumpsters with litter and debris, including a couch and tires.

Why it matters

The Salmon River is a major destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, so keeping the waterway and its banks clean is crucial for preserving the natural environment and ensuring residents and visitors can continue enjoying the superb fishery. Community cleanup events like this help raise awareness and bring people together to care for shared natural resources.

The details

The cleanup focused on the Salmon River corridor, including parking areas, boat launches, and heavily fished sections of the river. Participants included individuals, licensed fishing guides, anglers, local educators, high school students, and members of various community organizations such as New York Sea Grant, Syracuse University, Trout Unlimited, Douglaston Salmon Run, Scouts of America, and the Village of Pulaski and Pulaski Tree Committee.

  • The Salmon River Cleanup Day took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • Organizers plan to hold another successful cleanup event next year.

The players

New York Sea Grant

A cooperative program of the State University of New York and Cornell University that promotes the sustainable use of New York's coastal and Great Lakes resources through research, education, and extension.

Oswego County Tourism

The tourism promotion agency for Oswego County, New York, responsible for marketing the region's recreational and cultural attractions.

Stacy Furgal

The Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Health Specialist for New York Sea Grant.

Daniel Breitweg

The Deputy Director of Tourism for Oswego County.

Garrett Brancy

An employee of Douglaston Salmon Run, a popular fishing destination along the Salmon River.

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What they’re saying

“This event was a great success. It was wonderful to see such a diverse group of fishing and community members joining forces to clean up the river.”

— Stacy Furgal, Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Health Specialist, New York Sea Grant

“We're proud of what was accomplished at our first Salmon River Cleanup Day; and very grateful to the volunteers for their hard work. We look forward to holding another successful event next year.”

— Daniel Breitweg, Deputy Director of Tourism, Oswego County

What’s next

Organizers plan to hold another Salmon River Cleanup Day next year to continue their efforts to maintain the natural beauty and ecological health of this important waterway.

The takeaway

Community-driven cleanup events like this one demonstrate the power of collective action to preserve shared natural resources. By bringing together diverse groups of volunteers, the Salmon River Cleanup Day not only removed tons of litter but also fostered a sense of stewardship and pride in the local environment.