The only way to see true progress is to get our community working to improve the health of our streams alongside us. There are many ways to make an impact at home and in our community!

Events and Workshops

Blacks Run Clean Up Day

Get a group together, or your family, or just yourself, and join us on April 12, 2025, for the Annual Blacks Run Clean Up Day and Arbor Day Tree Planting event.

Day of Event Details:

Beginning at 9:00am - Visit the Green Scene, in the grassy lot beside Turner Pavilion, to gather your Cleanup Day materials, and enjoy visiting booths with environmental experts from around the area. 

The prizes don't stop there! After visiting the Green Scene, you will journey to your cleanup location. During your cleanup, participate in our Social Media Photo Contest! There will be a prize for individuals who photograph the following:

  • Most Enthusiastic Group
  • Largest Item
  • Largest Group
  • Weirdest Object

To participate in the Social Media Photo Contest, you may do one of the following:

  • Tag @harrisonburgpublicworks on Facebook
  • Tag @hbgpublicworks on Instagram
  • Use the hashtag #BRCD2025 on your Facebook or Instagram post

11:30am - 1pm Pizza Party

After you have completed your cleanup, join us back at the Green Scene for the lunchtime Pizza Party. All registered participants will receive free pizza! Turn in your Green Scene Passport for a chance to win a Raffle prize!

After Blacks Run Cleanup Event 

Receive a special participant voucher at the Green Scene, visit with participating Downtown Breweries/Cideries/Cafes during open hours on Cleanup Day, and receive discounted brews and other exciting Blacks Run Cleanup Day specials. Specials so far include:

  • Hibiscus Blonde Ale BRCD specialty brew plus $1 off any pint on tap at Brothers Craft Brewing
  • The closest brewery to the BRCD Green Scene, offering $1 off pours at Pale Fire Brewing Company
  • Harrisonburg's newest wine bar, offering $1 off glass or flight of wine or 10% off to-go bottles of wine at Rootstock Wine Bar VA
  • A Clean Up Day After-Party, offering 50% off your first cider, plus even better deals if you sign up to be on the Sage Bird Clean Up Team at Sage Bird Ciderworks
  • Brewmaster Nick serves up the release of the Elderberry Blonde Ale specialty brew for Blacks Run Clean Up Day at Three Notch'd Brewing Company
  • The new coffee shop in town, offering $1 off specialty coffees and 25% off their coffee flights at Drifters Cafe 

To register to participate in the 2025 Blacks Run Cleanup Day event, visit http://arcg.is/1PKWzz0

Interested in being a sponsor or have general or registration questions? Contact Austin Shenk, Environmental Specialist, at Austin.Shenk@HarrisonburgVA.gov or 540-820-0089. 

All volunteers need to complete and return the Liability and Photo Release Statement [114KB] prior to the event on April 13, 2024.

Parental or Guardian Liability & Photo Release form [104KB]

Can't make it on April 12?  Blacks Run always needs some TLC. Get a small group together and schedule a day for your volunteers to clean up a section of Blacks Run.

How much trash has been collected during past events? View Blacks Run Clean Up Day statistics from past years through the Stream Clean Up Dashboard

Small Group Stream Clean Ups

If you or your organization are interested in participating in a clean-up at any other point during the year, please contact Public Works at Stormwater@HarrisonburgVA.gov or 540-434-5928. Just tell us what size group you have and what day you would like to do your clean up. Based on that information, a staff member will assign you a stream section to clean. Staff will provide you with gloves, trash bags and safety vests for your clean up. 

Use the online form to sign up online for a small group clean up! 

Frequently Asked Questions and Safety Tips: Stream Clean-Up Safety Tips.pdf

 

 

 

 

Rain Barrel Workshop

Why Rain Barrels? 

Rain Barrels can be attached to downspouts to capture roof runoff. The water stored in the rain barrel can be used to water gardens or lawns. Rain barrels can also help control stormwater runoff, which can cause erosion and degrades our streams.

Benefits:

Although rain barrels are available at garden stores, they are not cheap! During the workshop, you will convert a heavy plastic pickle barrel into a functional rain barrel. In addition to learning how to install and maintain your rain barrel, you will learn about your role in water conservation and water quality protection.

Overview:

In this workshop, you will receive a recycled plastic barrel and a rain barrel kit from the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District that you will use to build your own rain barrel. During the workshop, you will drill holes, install the faucet, and complete other tasks to allow a barrel to catch rainwater for use around your property. Save water AND money through the Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program (if you live in the City of Harrisonburg). 

  • Think about where you will place your rain barrel so you can decide on which side of the barrel to place the faucet.
  • Be ready to take your barrel home!
  • Ages 6 and up may attend. Those under 18 should have a parent or guardian present.
  • Tools and materials provided.

Upcoming Workshop Information

Workshop Sponsored by: 

Composting Workshop

During a Workshop Participants will…

 

  • Convert a plastic tote into a functional worm composting bin.
  • Learn how to create and maintain a compost bin.
  • Learn the benefits of composting.
  • Learn their role in waste reduction and water quality protection.

Participants are encouraged to: wear comfortable clothes that may get dirty and bring work gloves. As part of the workshop, participants will receive soil for the compost bins as well as 10-12 Red Wiggler Worms to get your compost bin started. Assistance will be provided at the workshop for construction of the bins. Bins, tools and other building supplies will be provided.