Community members are invited to roll up their sleeves and help care for one of the area’s natural treasures later this month.

The Manchaug Pond Foundation will host its annual spring cleanup on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., welcoming volunteers to assist in clearing litter from Manchaug Pond and surrounding areas. Participants will meet at the state public access boat ramp on Torrey Road in Sutton before heading out to clean roadsides, shoreline areas, and other parts of the watershed. 

Organizers say volunteers are not required to stay for the full three hours and can contribute as their schedules allow. Those with boats are especially encouraged to take part, helping to reach coves and harder-to-access areas of the pond. 

All necessary supplies, including gloves, safety vests, and trash bags, will be provided. In case of inclement weather, the event will move to Sunday, April 26, with updates posted on the foundation’s website and social media pages. 

The cleanup effort supports the foundation’s ongoing work to protect water quality at the 380-acre pond, which spans both Douglas and Sutton. The organization has previously secured multiple grants from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to address non-point source pollution—runoff from roads, lawns, and other surfaces that can impact water health. 

In addition to hands-on events like the cleanup, the foundation continues to provide educational resources for residents and visitors, including guidance on low-impact landscaping practices such as buffer zones and rain gardens to help reduce nutrient runoff. 

For more information about the cleanup or the foundation’s work, visit manchaugpond.org.