On May 2, 2026, the Flint River Watershed Coalition and Keep Genesee County Parks Beautiful held their annual Stewardship Day event. More than 130 people volunteered to clean up parks and public spaces across Flint, Mich., and Genesee County to participate in coordinated cleanup efforts along the Flint River and surrounding areas.
“This has been a fantastic event we’ve been putting on for over 25 years,” Amanda Edwards, Community Cleanup coordinator, said.
The event traces its origins to the late 1990s through the Friends of the Flint River Trail, a group formed in 1997 to promote use of the trail for cycling, walking and running.
Stewardship Day has expanded in recent years through collaboration between partner organizations. Keep Genesee County Beautiful joined the planning process in 2024, contributing to increased coordination and outreach efforts across the community.
“The partnership over the last three years has helped expand our reach and include more of the community,” Jamie Welch, associate director of the Flint Watershed Coalition, said.
The event received support from Genesee County Parks, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other local partners.
Organizers reported that more than 130 volunteers registered for the event and were distributed across the cleanup sites. Support teams, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which conducts annual in-river cleanup efforts.
While Genesee County Parks maintenance crews helped remove collected debris. Community participation included both returning volunteers and first-time participants.
Welch said that she was very happy with the turnout. “We are very happy with how the Stewardship Day event went this year. We had a good turnout and were able to collect a large amount of trash.”
Cleanup Volunteers, Genesee County Parks in Flint, Mich., on May 2, at the Stewardship Day. Photo provided by Edie Almasy. 
Cleanup Volunteer, Genesee County Parks in Flint, Mich., on May 2, at the Stewardship Day. Photo provided by Edie Almasy. 
Trash Collected by Volunteers, Genesee County Parks in Flint, Mich., on May 2, at the Stewardship Day. Photo provided by Edie Almasy. 
Cleanup Volunteers, Genesee County Parks in Flint, Mich., on May 2, at the Stewardship Day. Photo provided by Edie Almasy. 
Cleanup Volunteers, Genesee County Parks in Flint, Mich., on May 2, at the Stewardship Day. Photo provided by Edie Almasy. 
Cleanup Volunteer, Genesee County Parks in Flint, Mich., on May 2, at the Stewardship Day. Photo provided by Edie Almasy.
Volunteers were assigned to 10 locations across Flint and Genesee County, including Amos Park, Flint Park Lake, the Genesee Valley Trail, Glenwood Cemetery, Iroquois Park, St. John Street Neighborhood Memorial Park, Thread Lake, McKinley Park, Vietnam Veterans Park and For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum.
All 10 locations are located near the Flint River or connected waterways. Organizers selected locations based on environmental need, proximity to water systems and coordination with Adopt-A-Park efforts.
“It’s wonderful to see the community coming together and working for one cause of cleaning up the trails and parks along the Flint River,” Edie Almasy, treasurer of the Friends of the Flint River Watershed inc, said.
Funding and operational support for the event were provided through the Greatest American Cleanup grant from Keep America Beautiful. This grant offers up to $5,000 per affiliate, along with sponsorship from Mott Community College.
Sponsor contributions supported the purchase of cleanup supplies, dumpster placement, tire disposal, volunteer T-shirts for early registrants and a post-event meal for participants.
Edwards said that this event will not stop now and that they will keep hosting Stewardship Day events. “We will continue to hold this cleanup event in the future. Continuing to promote stewardship in our communities and natural spaces is one of the main long-term goals.”
Organizers said additional opportunities for involvement are available throughout the year through cleanup initiatives, educational programs and partnerships focused on maintaining Flint’s parks, trails and waterways.
