Fifty-two enthusiastic volunteers came out on January 19, 2026, for the Martin Luther King Day of Service Trash Cleanup in Dyke Marsh and along the Potomac River shoreline.
The volunteers, of all ages, filled 40 55-gallon bags that weighed a total of 617 pounds. One volunteer estimated that 60 percent of the trash was plastic bottles. Volunteers found a propane gas tank, pieces of metal, a tire, basketball, soccer ball, whiffleball, much Styrofoam, glass bottles, aluminum cans and the ribs of an animal. FODM partnered with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network for the cleanup.
In two hours volunteers filled 40 bags with trash. Photo by Carolyn Gamble
Next five photos by Glenda Booth
FODMers staffed a check-in table at the Haul Road Trail.
Andrei Tomaik found the ribs of an animal.
Three people lugged out a propane gas tank. Left to right: Jason Manarin, Suzanne Kalvaitis and Al Kalvaitis.
Plastic bottles probably make up around 60 percent of the trash found in Dyke Marsh.
Styrofoam breaks down into small pieces and birds and other wildlife mistake the tiny pieces for food and ingest them.
Following are some volunteers who helped collect trash. Photos by Carolyn Gamble
