33rd Annual River & Road Cleanup

The 33rd Annual River & Road Clean-up, organized by The Valley Women’s Club (www.valleywomensclub.org), takes place in Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond and Felton on Saturday, September 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lompico Community Center holds their annual Clean-up the same morning from 9 to noon. The VWC and Lompico coordinate the effort with Save Our Shores, whose morning Coastal Clean-up now reaches up the River. Each organization emphasizes the link between the health of the San Lorenzo River Watershed to the health of the Bay and the Ocean.
Individuals, families, and groups of all ages are encouraged to come help clean up trash and recyclables from in and along the creeks and River, and from along the riparian roadways, to prevent trash from being washed downstream to the Bay, causing damage along the way and to the ocean.
Volunteers can help any time after 9 a.m. for so long as they want, up to closing at 3 p.m. Check in at the Felton Covered Bridge Park, or at the table along Hwy 9 near Fillmore St., or at behind the Village Wash & Dry on Hwy 9 in Boulder Creek. Until noon, the Cleanup is co-sponsored by Save Our Shores at all sites.
Safety is paramount during the Cleanup. Volunteers are required to sign a waiver of liability, and children 12 and under must be with an adult. Anyone working along the River or a creek must have a buddy. Bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes and readily visible clothing. Safety vests are available. Large signs warning drivers about volunteers on the roads will be posted along Clean Up routes.
Students can earn Community Service credit for the hours they work; forms are provided.
The River & Road Clean-up is again generously supported by the SLV Water District and the County of Santa Cruz. Each provides a dump truck and drivers to haul recyclables and trash to the Ben Lomond Transfer Station, where the County will provide free disposal of the trash. Small recyclables will be transported in Green Waste dumpsters.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring cars and trucks to help transport materials from throughout the Valley to the three pick-up points, and are encouraged to enlist help from family and friends, Churches, youth groups, schools and community organizations.
Valley Women’s Club and Save Our Shores volunteers will staff the SLV sign-in/weigh-in stations; they will provide trash bags, latex gloves, snacks and water, and can suggest cleanup locations. Volunteers with trucks are needed.
If you know of a place needing special attention this year, or need additional information, please contact VWC Environmental Committee Chair, Nancy Macy, at 831/338-6578, or email at [email protected] .