GreenUp Ashland is a community committee working alongside the Town of Ashland to “promote a litter-free environment and to encourage stewardship of our lands and waterways since 2002.” 

Most residents recognize the name, GreenUp Ashland, from the annual event the committee hosts annually, the first Saturday in May to encourage community stewardship and pick up an Ashland Trash bag, grab a t-shirt, and start collecting litter. However, the committee is an active community group with initiatives to create a greener community with involvement with out clean initiatives in town. 

In addition to the one-day event, the committee also encourages individuals to clean up discarded waste on a regular basis with the “Adopt-a-Street Program.” 

Community Committee Member Karyn Dann- Barboza comments on the program saying, “The Adopt-a-Street initiative has been around for approx 5 years” (we could be on our 5th summer/to fall with it now) It has grown exponentially and the big lift, believe it or not - during the pandemic. Folks really wanted to get out and be active since we were sort of locked down. Since then, the traction has been increasing. This year our focus is to pull in more businesses for adoption, help with environmental initiatives with the Ashland Public Library and Sustainability Committee. 

The Adopt a Street program had 40 active volunteers enrolled in the program in 2023 and with our mild winter, was able to keep areas clean throughout the winter. This program is not limited to streets, but expanded to include adopting a space in addition to a street, allowing individuals to clean up local parks and schools.

GreenUp Ashland needs your help. As these volunteers continue to clean up our community, they are noticing more and more discarded trash. Discarded trash not only is an eyesore; it is a health matter, and it significantly impacts the town’s Stormwater infrastructure. Please, collect your trash and dispose of it properly. Let’s work together to keep Ashland Clean. 

Green up Ashalnd Day is Saturday, May 6th 2023 at the Stone Park Pavilion. Registration will open up to previous adopters first and then to all others interested.  GreenUp Ashland is always looking for adopters, volunteers to help on the committee and the community itself to keep us aware of areas in town that need cleanup.  Sign up will open in April. Follow Green up on Facebook @GreenUpAshland and the website www.greenupashland.org.