Bronx River Alliance

Many people believe that trash enters rivers only through illegal dumping and littering, but in reality, there are many other pathways.

Trash created on land can still end up in rivers even when it is properly disposed of. The primary ways trash enters waterways include stormwater runoff, wind transport, illegal dumping, and sewer overflows, all of which move litter from streets, parks, and landfills into rivers and streams. During rainfall, water flows over streets, parking lots, and sidewalks, collecting litter and carrying it into storm drains that often discharge directly into local waterways.

Wind can also transport lightweight materials such as plastic bags, food wrappers, and Styrofoam from open trash bins and landfills into rivers, lakes, and streams. In some areas, heavy rainfall overwhelms sewage systems, causing sewer overflows that release untreated water and debris into rivers. Urban environments worsen this problem because paved surfaces increase runoff speed, allowing trash to be carried into waterways more quickly. Poorly managed trash bins that are overfilled or uncovered further increase the likelihood of debris escaping. Even small items, such as cigarette butts, can become plastic pollution in our river. This mismanaged waste harms water quality, wildlife, and recreational areas.

Volunteer with us and learn how to use less plastic, prevent litter, and improve the way we manage all types of waste and stormwater.

The Bronx River Alliance Education Program is seeking Mentors for our Environmental Education and Leadership for Students Program - Apply by Monday, October 5th! The mission of the EELS internship is to introduce high school students from environmental justice communities to environmental careers.

The topics mentors will be focused on are environmental topics such as Ecology, Urban Ecology, Environmental Science, Public Health, Geography, Marine Biology, or other related fields. Mentors will be guiding and supporting a group of up to 5 students and helping with their final projects.

Do you know someone that may be interested in becoming an EELS mentor? Visit the link in bio for more information or share this post!


Link in Bio
https://bronxriver.org/the-bronx-river-alliance-seeks-a-science-research-mentor-for-the-environmental-education-and-leadership-for-students-eels-program

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𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐱 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤! On 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗, join the Bronx River Alliance, New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Is Blooming, and community volunteers to remove litter as part of 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐲 and plant native species that help restore Soundview Park.⁣
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This work is more important than ever. According to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection's 2025 Water Quality Report, the Bronx River at Soundview Park (BR5) was among the sites with the highest number of poor water quality ratings, highlighting the need for continued community stewardship.⁣
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📍 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬⁣
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Soundview Park entrance at Lafayette Ave. & Morrison Ave., Bronx, NY 10473⁣
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10 AM – 2 PM⁣
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Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and clothes that can get dirty, and bring a reusable water bottle. We'll provide gloves, tools, water, snacks, and lunch.⁣
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Questions? Contact Jennifer Seda at [email protected].⁣
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Help make a lasting impact on the health of the Bronx River—𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!

Sign Up for Free CTLE-Credited Training in Water Quality Monitoring!

The Bronx River Alliance and the New York Botanical Garden are partnering again this year to host another water quality monitoring training for teachers and educators. This hands-on professional development experience will introduce participants to key water quality monitoring tools, knowledge, and techniques they can use to lead students in meaningful learning experiences.

By using the Bronx River as a living laboratory, educators will explore how to measure chemical, physical, and biological indicators of water quality and interpret data to better understand human and ecological impacts.

The session will be held on Friday, August 21 from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

Register here: bit.ly/CTLEBXRA_NYBG

Spots are limited, so sign up today!

Taking a moment to show love and appreciation to our wonderfully amazing volunteers! Only halfway through the 2026 gardening season, we've already:

🌿 Planted 3,838 native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
🗑️ Collected 1,171 bags of trash
🌱 Removed 954 bags worth of invasive plants

Give yourselves a pat on the back! Stewarding an entire river takes a super strong community, and we couldn't do it without you all!

Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer events, and we hope to continue seeing you all (and some new faces 🙂) along the river!

As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we're highlighting 25 species that call the Bronx River home.

From the wooded headwaters in the north, to the forests and parks in the middle, and even the urban and industrial areas in the south, these plants and animals reflect the incredible ecology and biodiversity of the Bronx River.

While these are just a few of the many species found throughout the Bronx River, each one reminds us why protecting, improving, and restoring the river matters.

Throughout our anniversary year, we'll be celebrating different aspects of the Bronx River and the community that has helped it thrive. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know these remarkable species and celebrating the wildlife, native plants, and shared stewardship that make the Bronx River so special.

Join us on the 25th of each month as we celebrate 25 years of the Bronx River Alliance.

Looking for something to do today? Stop by one of our free, community-led workshops and experience the Bronx River in a new way. 💚

It’s City of Water Day! 🌊 Join us today at Starlight Park for free paddling, guided nature walks, art activities, live performances, and more as we celebrate the Bronx River and our community’s connection to it. We hope to see you there!