Thanks to the Terra.do Learning for Action program, which I completed earlier this year, and its amazing Slack community of over 4,000 students and alumni, I was able to recruit a fellow environmental enthusiast, Katya Stupina, to join me.

We had a great time cleaning up Boston Commons and part of the Charles River Esplanade just before sunset. Together, we filled two 13-gallon trash bags with litter, leaving this lovely area better than we found it!

Several people thanked us and asked if we were part of an organized volunteer group, like the Charles River Conservancy, or The Esplanade Association. The area was full of people working out, running, hanging out, and even dancing—there was a Zumba class right on the Esplanade! This experience showed me that this beautiful area, which attracts both residents and tourists, offers an excellent opportunity for organizations to find volunteers, raise awareness, and make a positive impact.