For the 16th consecutive year, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) seeks to once again unite the community for the Annual Yuba River Cleanup & Restoration Day on Saturday, September 21st. Volunteers are encouraged to register early for their favorite Cleanup sites at www.yubariver.org for a family-friendly, fun morning spent cleaning up and restoring the river, followed by an afternoon barbeque, live music, and the 3rd Annual Stone Skipping Contest at Bridgeport in the South Yuba River State Park.
“Ever wonder why SYRCL organizes the Yuba River Cleanup every year?” queries Miriam Limov, SYRCL’s River People Manager who has coordinated the event since 2007. “It’s because we know how much everyone loves the Yuba River! In fact, nearly 500,000 people visit the Yuba’s swimming pools, beaches and trails annually. Sadly, many ignore the saying ‘if you pack it in, please pack it out’ – leaving behind tons of trash every year.”
The good news is that SYRCL’s Annual Yuba River Cleanup Day and the new River Ambassador Program are designed to keep the river clean, healthy and safe. Over the past 15 years, SYRCL volunteers have removed over 140,000 pounds of garbage. Last year alone, over 650 volunteers removed 7,700 pounds of trash and recycling from 35 sites along 90 miles of river and streams in just one day.
Families love the Cleanup – and last year nearly one third of the participants were under 18. For example, students from the Bear River Key Club removed a hot tub that had been thrown into the Bear River. It is also an excellent team building opportunity for youth groups and clubs, faith-based organizations, and businesses to build camaraderie while cleaning up trash and trails in our cherished watershed.
But keeping the river from being trashed is more than a one-day-a-year activity. That’s why SYRCL’s River Ambassadors are out every weekend this summer – at all four major river crossings – educating visitors about how to keep the river clean and safe. The volunteer River Ambassadors are on track to speak face-to-face with over 5,000 river visitors and pick up more than 4,000 pieces of dog waste and litter.
“SYRCL’s programs have real costs – and need the community’s help to keep them going,” said Caleb Dardick, SYRCL’s Executive Director. “This year we have created a new ‘Clean-a-thon’ so that Yuba River lovers can ask your friends and family to sponsor their day cleaning up the river. All funds raised will support the Annual Cleanup, the River Ambassadors and SYRCL’s work to protect and restore the Yuba River year-round.”
Volunteers who sign up for the Clean-a-thon will have the opportunity to earn great prizes depending on the amount they raise including a Yuba Salmon Rafting Trip, a Patagonia day pack, a Klean Kanteen water bottle, a SYRCL t-shirt or SYRCL hat.
The top Clean-a-thon fundraisers will win one of our Grand Prizes including a Rogue River Rafting Trip (for two with Bob Travers), Sugar Bowl Ski Pass (slightly restricted), REI Half Dome Tent and many other amazing prizes.
The first step is to register online at www.yubariver.org for the Cleanup where you can pick your favorite river cleanup site. Don’t wait too long, as the most popular sites fill up fast.
Then set your own “Clean-a-thon” goal (this is optional). Finally, please spread the word so that everyone can show their love for the Yuba and help out during the annual river cleanup.
“I was surprised at how easy it was to get my friends and family to donate towards my efforts cleaning up the Yuba River,” said Barbara Getz, SYRCL Board Member. “People have been more than happy to donate to such a worthwhile cause – I love the Yuba and my friends do too. This is a great way to get more people involved in SYRCL’s work.”
This year’s Cleanup is sponsored in part by generous donations from A-One Bookkeeping, BriarPatch Co-op, cbec eco engineering, Grass Valley Sign Company, KVMR, Nevada City Self Storage, Nevada Irrigation District, PG&E, Sperry Van Ness – Highland Commercial, Sugar Bowl, Telestream, The Union, and YubaNet. Please be sure to thank these local businesses for their investment in keeping the Yuba clean.
If you have any questions or want to sponsor the Cleanup, please contact Miriam Limov, River People Manager, at (530) 265-5961 x201 or Miriam@syrcl.org.
Summary:
What: 16th Annual Yuba River Cleanup & Restoration Day
Where: Over 35 sites in the Yuba River watershed
When: Saturday, September 21, 2013 – 9:00am-noon is the Cleanup; Noon-3:30pm is the Celebrations at Bridgeport, South Yuba River State Park
A free family-friendly barbeque, Haute Trash Fashion show, live music and the 3rd Annual Stone Skipping Competition and more!
How: Register for your favorite site in advance at www.yubariver.org