Water Chestnut Cleanups
Our Partners
Restoring Waterways
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and their dedicated partners promote continued cleanups of the Blackstone River and other effected waterways.
Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is an aquatic invasive plant that overtakes slow-moving waterways, lakes and ponds and negatively impacts freshwater ecosystems. Water chestnuts form dense floating mats that deplete dissolved oxygen levels, shade out native plants, alter fish habitat and impede recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and boating. When left unmanaged, water chestnuts can grow exponentially, and seed beds can remain viable for up to twelve years – making a sustained, multi-year management effort a necessity.
Join Us This Summer to Protect Our Rivers and Lakes!
Invasive water chestnut is threatening the health of our local waterways, and we need your help. In 2023 and 2024, we partnered to host 28 water chestnut pulls across Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island. With the help of 465 incredible volunteers, we removed over 21,000 pounds of invasive plants from our rivers, restoring habitat and improving water quality.
Be part of this growing movement! Whether you're a seasoned environmentalist or just looking for a fun, hands-on way to make a difference outdoors, there's a role for everyone.
Help protect our waters! Join a water chestnut pull today.
2025 Water Chestnut Cleanups:
East Providence High School - CFL, RI
East Providence High School - CFL, RI
Progreso Latino - CFL, RI
North Smithfield High School - CFL, RI
Paul Cuffee Charter School- CFL, RI
Blackstone Valley Academy Senior Project - CFL, RI
Blackstone River Watershed Council - CFL, RI
Progreso Latino - CFL, RI
Coes Reservoir - Worcester, MA
Lake Quinsigamond - Shrewsbury, MA
Aquatic Plant Management Society - CFL, RI
Lake Quinsigamond - Shrewsbury, MA
RIDEM - Turner Reservoir
Looking to Get Involved as a Group?
We also collaborate with schools, businesses, and community organizations to host fun, hands-on team-building activities and volunteer workdays. It’s a great way to connect with nature, give back, and make an impact together.
We’ve worked with incredible groups like:
East Providence High School, Central High School, Cranston High School, Exeter – West Greenwich High School, E Cubed High School, Dube Homeschool Group, ENRICHri Homeschool Group, Blackstone Valley Academy, Paul Cuffee Charter School, Progreso Latino, Girl Scouts of America, AmeriCorps, the Aquatic Plant Management Society, and Verdantas.
Set Up a Cleanup!
Please fill out one of the forms below for the organization you wish to schedule a cleanup with.
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Fill out this form to setup a water chestnut cleanup with BVTC!
For further questions or concerns, please reach out to our coordinator, Amanda Mograss; amograss.bvtc@gmail.com
Blackstone River Watershed Council
Fill out this form to setup a water chestnut cleanup with BRWC!
For further questions or concerns, please reach out to coordinator, John Marsland; canoeman60@yahoo.com
