Volunteers came together Saturday for the 17th Annual Smith River Cleanup (capitalize ‘Annual’ only if it is an official proper name consistently used that way — but the headline and caption use lowercase ‘annual’; flag for consistency check), removing 1,650 pounds of litter and debris from the Smith River and surrounding roadsides.
The annual cleanup is a partnership between the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and Henry County, Virginia. This year, 40 volunteers participated in land and water crews, working along the river, roadsides and tributaries that feed into the Smith River. Volunteers removed litter and debris from approximately 5 miles of land and 7 miles of river during the event.
Volunteers who brought their own boats paddled sections of the river to collect trash, while land crews focused on roadsides and tributaries. Volunteers were provided gloves and grabbers, safety gear, snacks and water.
This year, DRBA and Henry County launched a new trial initiative to increase the amount of collected material that can be recycled. EMI Recycling partnered with DRBA and Henry County to make the sorting effort possible and Cunningham Tires handled tires collected during the cleanup.
“We are thrilled to have another impactful cleanup on our beautiful river and are grateful that the community understands the implications of littering in our waterways by showing up to volunteer,” said Anna Wheeler, DRBA Recreation and Stewardship Manager. “We have continued to see less trash in our waterways thanks to our partners and volunteers and due to an increase in environmental education in our water basin.”
“This event is always a great reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together for a common purpose,” said Tracy McKoy, Henry County Beautification Coordinator. “We appreciate everyone who gave their time and energy to help keep the Smith River and our roadsides clean. The Henry County Adult Detention Center workforce also contributed to this year’s cleanup and we are grateful for their support and willingness to be part of an effort that benefits our entire community.”
Volunteers were also treated to a free lunch from Hugo’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, sponsored by Lawless Welding who also brought a team of volunteers called the Trash Pandas. Participants were entered into a raffle featuring prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.
This year’s raffle donations included a kayak, paddle and personal flotation device from EMI Recycling; four single-day passes from Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival; ten admission tickets and a family membership with a behind-the-scenes tour from the Virginia Museum of Natural History; a birdhouse from Ace Heritage Home Center; four Henry County Fair tickets from Henry County Parks and Recreation; a Little Gem Magnolia from Lewis Nursery; gift cards from Railway Café and Hugo’s; a cooler donated by Lisa Simmons; and swag bags courtesy of Visit Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia Cooperative Extension and DRBA.
The 2026 cleanup adds to the event’s long history of removing litter from the Smith River watershed. Over the years, volunteers have removed an estimated 35,000+ pounds, or nearly 18 tons, of trash during the annual cleanup. The cleanup event is always scheduled the week before the Smith Riverfest.
“It has been so rewarding to get out on the river and see the difference we can make in just a few hours,” said Monique Holland from Martinsville, Va. “It’s great to spend the day with other people who care about keeping our shared watershed healthy, and most people understand that by protecting our waterways and land here in Martinsville and Henry County, we’re also making a difference for everyone who lives downstream. Everyone lives downstream from someone.”
DRBA’s mission is to protect and promote the Dan River Basin through recreation, education and stewardship. Learn more at danriver.org.
