Birmingham to Host MLK Day Cleanup for Black Warrior River

The Black Warrior Riverkeeper is inviting the community to come together for its 6th Annual MLK Day of Service with a watershed cleanup in Birmingham. The cleanup will take place Monday, January 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Huffman Ballpark, located at 421 Red Lane Road.

This year’s event is once again in partnership with Birmingham City Council District 1 and is open to anyone who wants to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service.

This cleanup also marks a special moment for the organization, as it will be the first MLK Day of Service led by Mary Allen Murray in her new role as engagement coordinator.

Murray officially joined the Black Warrior Riverkeeper staff full time on January 1 and says honoring Dr. King through hands on service is deeply meaningful. According to the press release sent to Townsquare Media, Murray referenced Dr. King’s belief that all work that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance, adding that real change starts at the grassroots level.

In 2025 alone, more than 725 volunteers helped remove over 23,000 pounds of trash from local waterways.

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Birmingham City Council District 1 is a fitting partner for the event. Councilor Clinton Woods, whose family has deep roots in the Civil Rights Movement, has been one of the Riverkeeper’s most consistent collaborators since the Volunteer Litter Cleanups Program launched in 2021.

Those who cannot attend are encouraged to sign up for the Black Warrior Riverkeeper newsletter to learn about future service opportunities and continue supporting the fight for clean water in Alabama.