06/10/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Ella Swigler, Commonwealth Sweep Coordinator, Kentucky Waterways Alliance
[email protected] (850)890-6900
2026 Licking River Clean Sweep: For a third year in a row, Kentucky Waterways Alliance is co-hosting clean sweeps across Kentucky in each of the seven major river basins as a part of the annual Commonwealth Sweep program. In 2024, KWA’s Commonwealth Sweep volunteers cleaned up nearly 10,000 pounds of trash across the state, and then followed that by removing 17,567 pounds of trash from our waterways in 2025! The 2026 Commonwealth Sweep continues this work, and KWA is excited to be in Butler, Kentucky for the Licking River basin.
Butler, Kentucky: June 27, 2026
The Kentucky Waterways Alliance is co-hosting the 2026 Licking River Clean Sweep to remove litter from the waterway and its surrounding banks. Volunteers can choose to collect trash either by paddling on the river or walking along the land. This clean sweep will meet at the Butler Community Center, where volunteers will split up and head out on their preferred cleanup adventure for the day! KWA’s 2026 Licking River Clean Sweep partners include the Butler Lions Club, Pendleton County Fiscal Court, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, Ohio River Basin Alliance, Pendleton County Emergency Management, Pendleton County 109 Board, and the City of Butler, Kentucky.
About the Licking River Basin
Located in Northeastern Kentucky, the Licking River serves as a major tributary to the Ohio River and spans across 22 counties. The Licking River basin covers 3,700 square miles of drainage and supports the withdrawal of more than 29 million gallons of municipal water a day from its variety of reservoirs, lakes, and streams. Furthermore, this basin embodies more than 29,000 acres of vital wetlands in the region. The Licking River gets its name from the many salt springs and licks that attracted prehistoric animals, such as the Woolly Mammoth and Giant Mastodon. The basin is also home to the Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery, one of the largest state-owned, warm-water fish hatcheries in the country. Three to four million bass, muskellunge, and walleye fingerlings from the hatchery are released every year into Kentucky lakes, rivers, and suitable streams. Kentucky Waterways Alliance is thrilled to partner with organizations striving to protect these vital waterways and encourage community engagement. We hope to see you on June 27th, as we clean up in and along the Licking River.
Date: Saturday; June 27, 2026 Location: Butler Community Center, 110 Mill St, Butler, KY 41006 Timeline: Check In: 8:30-9:00 AM; Welcome and Safety Instructions: 9:00-9:30 AM; Clean Up: 9:30 to 12:00 PM
Registration: https://forms.gle/GCSWneARw2vrahdz9 or https://www.kwalliance.org/kwa-events.html
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About Kentucky Waterways Alliance
Since 1993, Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) has been the only statewide organization focused on waterways in Kentucky. KWA works with communities on local watershed issues and
advocates for better policies and programs at the state and national levels. With a mission to protect, restore, and celebrate Kentucky’s waterways, KWA’s work is making a difference in the
quality of life for all Kentuckians. Learn more at kwalliance.org.
About the Butler Lions Club
The Butler Lions Club is a non-profit organization that focuses on serving the local community through various charitable activities and events. With a mission to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need, the club organizes fundraisers and volunteer opportunities to support those in the Butler area. For more information, visit their page at
https://www.facebook.com/butlerkylionsclub/.
About the Pendleton County Fiscal Court
The Fiscal Court meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM. These meetings are held at the Pendleton County Judges Office, 233 Main St, Falmouth, KY in the upstairs office.
Find out more at https://pendletoncounty.ky.gov/Government/Pages/Fiscal-Court.aspx.
About Pendleton County Emergency Management
This is the public safety office of Pendleton County. They promote mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery as the four phases of a comprehensive emergency management
program. You can learn more about their vital and important work at
https://pendletoncounty.ky.gov/ema/Pages/default.aspx.
About the Pendleton County 109 Board
The mission of the Pendleton County Solid Waste Management (109) Board is to establish, maintain and administer a system to assist the citizens, businesses and other organizations of
Pendleton County, and the incorporated cities therein, to reduce, recycle and dispose of solid waste in a safe, economical and lawful manner. The purpose of this activity is to protect the
public health and welfare, prevent the creation of nuisances, conserve our natural resources, preserve and improve the beauty and quality of our environment, and enhance our economic
opportunity. For more information, visit their website at
https://pendletoncounty.ky.gov/Government/Pages/109-Board.aspx.
About the City of Butler, Kentucky
Butler is a small rural country town located along the licking river in the northern part of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, founded on February 1st, 1868. With a population of less than
1,000 people, Butler provides you with a rural setting yet still close enough to urban areas, we sit less than 45 minutes south of Cincinnati, close to an hour north of Lexington, and 35 minutes
