We’re absolutely thrilled to share the incredible success of our inaugural RiverRoots Festival, which took place on Saturday, March 16th at the beautiful Overton Park. With over 300 enthusiastic Memphians joining us for a day filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit, the event exceeded all our expectations and left a lasting impact on our wonderful city. The RiverRoots Festival, proudly powered by International Paper and supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was a true testament to our unwavering commitment to local sustainability efforts. 

One of the festival’s most exciting highlights was the chance for Memphians to connect with a diverse array of environmental sustainability organizations, including Protect Our Aquifer, Wolf River Conservancy, Nonconnah Creek Conservancy, Memphis Storm Water, and Volunteer Odyssey. Through these engaging interactions, attendees gained valuable insights into the importance of conserving our waterways and learned practical ways to make a positive impact on our environment.

In addition to raising awareness about water conservation, RiverRoots Festival also shone a spotlight on our ongoing Choose to Reuse campaign, made possible by a recent $500K grant from the EPA. This initiative is dedicated to combating plastic pollution in our local waterways by encouraging Memphians to embrace eco-friendly alternatives and reduce single-use plastics. It’s a powerful movement that’s gaining momentum, thanks to the support of our incredible community.

Our partnership with the EPA has been instrumental in driving forward our mission to create a cleaner, greener Memphis. Thanks to their generous grant, we’ve been able to implement innovative solutions like installing new water refill stations in schools and parks across the city. These stations, which can be found in locations such as Compass Community Schools, Memphis River Parks, Overton Park Shell, Overton Park Conservancy, and City of Memphis Parks, are making it easier than ever for Memphians to choose reusable options and reduce their environmental footprint.

But the impact of our EPA grant extends far beyond just installing refill stations. It’s about empowering our community to make sustainable choices and inspiring future generations to become stewards of our planet. By working together, we’re not just creating change – we’re building a brighter, more sustainable future for Memphis and beyond.

As we reflect on the incredible success of RiverRoots Festival, we’re filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of our sponsors, partners, volunteers, and, of course, the amazing Memphians who joined us on this journey. Your passion and commitment inspire us every day, and we’re excited to continue working together to make our city a cleaner, greener place for all.

Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved with Clean Memphis and our Choose to Reuse campaign. Together, we can make a real difference and create a brighter, more sustainable future for Memphis and beyond!