Volunteer clean up of Burlington Island - BYO SUP/kayak (no rentals avail)

Want to help keep single use plastic bottles from getting to the ocean from the Delaware River?
Every year tons of plastics and other garbage end up on Burlington Island in the Delaware River between Bristol PA and Burlington NJ on its way to the ocean. But we can clean up Burlington Island to help keep that trash from going all the way to the ocean.

Join ITS BETTER OUTDOORS as we partner with Spearhead Project Earth for a 2nd cleanup of the island! We did this in 2024 and was such a worthwhile effort!

Your own Standup Paddleboard or Kayak is needed to join us as there is no other transportation to/from the island available* and no rentals are available

We’ll meet at the boat launch at Burlington Boat Ramp, 449 E. Pearl St. Burlington N.J. At 11:30am, get our stuff ready and then paddle over to the island around 12
The paddle is not that far, maybe 1/2 mile across the river in the side channel and then a little bit in the main channel - between the current and the wind, the part in the main channel can be a little rough so
I wouldn’t recommend inflatable or foldable kayaks, I won’t say no to them but you should have already tried them on an open river before…this will not be the same as on a lake.
I would also not recommend this for someone who has not paddled before

What if I don't have my own kayak, can I still help clean up? see below

What to expect:
1.5 - 2 hours of clean up (Gloves and trash bags provided, wear your own clean up appropriate clothes, long pants and sleeves are recommended. Best to bring a backpack to change in/out of when not paddling)
Then maybe an hour or so of free time to explore the island.
We’ll need volunteers to help pack the trash bags onto and off of the Pontoon Support boat (don’t worry, we won’t have to paddle the trash over on the kayaks!)
We should be heading back off the island before 4
Paddlers are free to paddle around the island as they wish afterwards But most of us will be heading to Docs Tavern for post-clean up food and drinks
Docs Irish Pub Tavern: 100 Jones St, Burlington NJ
Changing options: You can change in the restrooms at the bar or there is a nice WAWA at 350 Rt US130 in Burlington, just 2 minutes away, or you can plan to try and change in your car - plan to bring your own towels and dry clothes for afterwards

If you don't have your own kayak or paddleboard but still want to help, there are 10 spots available on the support pontoon boat that you can sign up for. Please don't sign up for one of these spots unless you know for sure you will be coming - don't waste a spot someone else could use. Message me for a spot.

THIS EVENT IS LIMITED TO 50 PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING 10 ON THE PONTOON SUPPORT BOAT - NO SHOWS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUP

Waivers will need to be signed before you can participate, link here:
https://www.spearheadprojectearth.org/volunteer-with-us
click the waiver link, click "volunteer with us" and fill out the registration form that comes up. For now, leave the Bristol dock checked, but we'll fix that. We're leaving from Burlington.
There are 2 options for May 10 - pick the right one...if you are bringing your own kayak or paddleboard then choose the kayak option, ONLY If I've confirmed that you're on the pontoon boat then check the pontoon option.

More about the project, effort, program, etc:
Simply explained, "We" are trying to reduce plastic waste from getting into our oceans from major international waterways. Spearheadprojectearth.org is a non-profit organization funded by the Spearhead Group, that is a world wide primary and secondary packaging company. The founder and CEO of the company is Robert Catalano who lives in Yardley, and is himself a Kayak enthusiast and conservationist.
Who benefits from this? “The answer is, currently no one. Besides the environment. SPE is a self sustained non-profit organization. We started in the Delaware and the long term plan is to expand globally, however, we are also working on plans whereas other local non-profit organizations can benefit financially by volunteering with us, in a program I've initiated, entitled "Penny Per Pound Promotion". Best explained by being compared to a Walk-a-thon where individual sponsors are solicited to support, for example, a local Boy Scout Troop.”

In their first year they were able to take 3000lbs of trash off the island! Let’s help them reach those kinds of numbers again.

NO guests allowed - if you want to bring someone have them join IBO (its free) and RSVP to the event - I want to make sure everyone gets all the details and communications (sometimes guests don't get all the important stuff)
THIS EVENT IS LIMITED TO 50 PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING 10 ON THE PONTOON SUPPORT BOAT - NO SHOWS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUP
Confirmed for the Pontoon Boat:
David
Jen
Jaime
Bindhu
Keziah
Bib
Amanda
Kerima
Bill and Kris
no spots left
if you have a spot on the pontoon, please make sure you can come
if you can no longer come, please tell me as soon as possible
if you don't show up on the day of the event I will be very very very mad at you - don't waste a spot someone else could have used