The Great Sierra River Cleanup is an annual volunteer event focused on removing trash and restoring the health of watersheds throughout the Sierra Nevada region. This statewide effort—coordinated by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, in conjunction with the California Coastal Cleanup Day—serves to promote good stewardship on all of our waterways, from the source at 14,000 ft., to the sea, the Pacific Ocean.

During the first four years of the Great Sierra River Cleanup more than 14,700 volunteers have joined together to remove over 550 tons of trash and recyclables from watersheds throughout the Sierra Nevada. Hundreds of community groups have spread across 22 counties and 1,280 river miles to pull appliances, cigarette butts, beverage cans, baby diapers, tires, furniture, and more from the rivers and streams that supply the State of California with 65 percent of its water. This effort, in partnership with the California Coastal Cleanup Day, serves to promote good stewardship on all of our waterways, from the source to the sea.

This annual event is more than just picking up trash. It’s a day for local communities—and the visitors who love the Sierra — to demonstrate their desire for clean water and healthy rivers. It’s an opportunity to learn about the importance of Sierra Nevada watersheds and the benefits they provide. It's about bringing together families, neighbors, visitors and friends in a gorgeous setting to accomplish something significant and worthwhile on behalf of our environment. By volunteering, you will contribute to extricating the next 100+ tons of trash from our precious waterways that provide clean water to visitors and Californians alike. I'll drink to that!

Make a difference. Come out and join the feel-good-fun! The American River Conservancy & El Dorado County & Georgetown Divide RCD are hosting the following cleanup sites as part of the annual Great Sierra River Cleanup:

Hangtown Creek - Downtown Placerville, CA

South Fork American River (2 sites) - Marshall Gold Discovery Park, Coloma, CA

Salmon Falls - El Dorado Hills, CA

E16 Bridge @ Cosumnes River

Gold Beach @ Cosumnes River

Folsom Point -Folsom Lake, CA

It’s easy to get involved. Simply reference the contact information provided below, or visit http://www.sierranevada.ca.gov/our-work/rivercleanup/the-great-sierra-river-clean-location-map for more information.

On the day of the cleanup, make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, your friends and family, gloves (may be provided), water (may be provided) and a plastic bucket (optional).

Call the listed contact to confirm time and date.

Check out the Great Sierra River Cleanup Video! http://www.youtube.com/user/SNConservancy#p/u/6/5X7Qq-O7gAU

Dates For Participation: September 21, 2013