With 2023 coming to a close, we stand in awe and gratitude for the incredible impact made by our dedicated volunteers. To all volunteers and volunteers leaders who lent their time and passion to protect, preserve, and enhance the High Line Canal—thank you!

 

Volunteers supported the Conservancy at 27 events and programs in 2023. Check out some of the highlights.

 

Brush Removals

In 2023, volunteers stepped up (and stepped into the Canal) to remove 622 cubic yards of brush across roughly 5 miles (4.6 miles) of the Canal. By removing large branches and tree debris stormwater can flow through the Canal.

Plantings

Our volunteers gathered to pilot a native prairie planting in 2023. Three hundred plants went in at Marrama Park in an afternoon in May thanks to 20 volunteers. Then in August another 125 plants were added to the Canal at Marrama Park. In October, 38 volunteers planted 27 trees in deKoevend Park to help the Canal canopy thrive.

Trash Cleanups

In addition to 13 Conservancy hosted trash cleanups across eleven miles of the Canal, Independent Cleanup volunteers hosted 66 cleanups. In total, more than 15,500 pounds of trash were removed from the Canal. This is a record-breaking number for the CCC to pick up in one year! Can you picture what 15K pounds of trash looks like? We had some trouble, so decided to research comparable weights to better picture what this means:

    • A typical African elephant weighs over 12,000 pounds
    • One of the most renowned dinosaurs, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, weighed 11,000-15,500 pounds
    • Three Tesla Model X’s weigh exactly 15,000 pounds
    • Three rhinoceros weigh at least 15,000 pounds

Removing this volume of waste from the Canal will positively impact the local ecosystem and improve the experience for the more than 1 million annual trail users.

Weed Removals

Our volunteers also removed nearly 700 pounds of invasive weeds out of the Canal! These weeds included goat heads, common teasel, curly dock and thistle.

Tabling, Event Opportunities & More!

Canal Ambassadors spent nearly 200 hours engaging with the public along the Canal and at community events. This is such an important role, representing the Conservancy to the public, and this year we had the honor of engaging with 1,858 Canal users during these touchpoint events. We also had more than 75 volunteers support at signature Conservancy events, which include the Summer Scamper and Dine for the High Line, in addition to office volunteers who have helped with administrative tasks such as mailings, data entry and assembling event supplies.

The time and dedication of all our volunteers have a positive impact for the Canal ecosystem and Canal community. In 2024, we look forward to how the positive momentum will carry over as we continue our work together to protect, preserve, and enhance all 71 miles of the High Line Canal for generations to come.