The student environmental initiative SUI, in collaboration with Dr. Harvey Harbach from the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems at Hof University of Applied Sciences (inwa), is organizing a cleanup along the Saale River on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The campaign is supported by NaturFreunde Hof e.V., the Obere Saale Fishing Association e.V. Hof, and the Waste Management Association of the City and District of Hof, which is providing litter pickers, buckets, gloves, and trash bags. The goal of the campaign is to clear the Saale River of debris, visibly combat environmental pollution, and at the same time set a practical example for sustainable action in the region.
As a student initiative at Hof University of Applied Sciences, the SUI is actively committed to environmental and sustainability issues. Its tasks include, in particular, planning high-profile projects, promoting environmental awareness, and mobilizing students and external partners for concrete environmental measures. Collaboration with Dr. Harvey Harbach was therefore a natural fit: As deputy director of the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems (inwa) and research group leader for resource-efficient food production, he brings scientific expertise to the initiative.
Public Science: Research in Collaboration with the Public
As part of the cleanup campaign, participants not only collect trash but also document the type, quantity, and locations of the waste. This approach is known as “Public Science” and enables citizens to actively contribute to scientific data collection. The collected information will then be analyzed by students in the “Sustainable Water Management and Engineering” program as part of the “Water Quality and Water Management” course taught by Dr. Harbach.
“With this initiative, we want to demonstrate that practical environmental protection and scientific research can work together exceptionally well. Every piece of information collected helps us better understand our waterways and manage them more sustainably.”
Dr. Harvey Harbach
The social impact of the event is also a key focus: “The goal and outcome of this initiative is to actively demonstrate environmental protection and make it accessible to as many people as possible. I am also eager to see the results of the data analysis conducted by the students,” Dr. Harbach added.
Meeting Point and Registration
Volunteers will meet on May 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Ascher Straße 16 / rear building in Hof. Interested individuals of all ages are cordially invited to participate in the initiative. To facilitate better organizational planning, please send a brief registration via email to SUI@hof-university.de. Questions regarding the event may also be directed to this address.
