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 two years of the Great Sierra River Cleanup, more than 7,500 volunteers joined together to remove over 270 tons of trash and recyclables from watersheds throughout the Sierra Nevada. Hundreds of community groups spread across 22 counties and 700 river miles pulled appliances, cigarette butts, beverage cans, baby diapers, tires, furniture, and more from the rivers and streams that supply California with around 65% of its water.

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 South Yuba River Citizens League is hosting the following cleanup sites as part of the 2011 Great Sierra River Cleanup:

Bear River at Dog Bar

Bear River at Highway 174 - Park at the bridge parking lot. This site may not be appropriate for small children.

Bear River Campground - 2500 Campground Rd., Colfax

Bennett Street Meadow Restoration Project - Bring labeled loppers and good work gloves as this is a restoration project of cutting back non-native plants.

49 Crossing (South Fork of the Yuba near Nevada City) - important: lots of bouldering, poison oak

Bridgeport (South Fork of the Yuba near Lake Wildwood) - Easy walking available - great site for kids to help out. You can also climb boulders on the upstream sites if you choose.

Champion Mine (Deer Creek – downtown Nevada City area) - Often this site has large appliances, mattresses, larger trash.

Deer Creek at Willow Valley Rd. & Deer Creek Downtown - Cleaning at Willow Valley first, then heading over to Deer Creek Downtown Nevada City after that.

Deer Creek Falls - hiking boots  are recommended as there is some steep walking in this area.

Donner Summit (Headwaters of the South Fork of the Yuba) - Cleaning will take place from the Van Norden Meadow (going downstream), in the river bed and on the shore

Edward’s Crossing Cleanup (South Fork of the Yuba)

Edward’s Crossing Restoration (South Fork of the Yuba) - Strenuous physical activity of removing and pulling invasive non-native plants of English ivy. Please bring labeled pruning shears and loppers, work gloves, plenty of water, small lunch/snack, sunscreen, and bug spray. Appropriate clothing to wear is long pants, long sleeve shirts, and close toes shoes.

Englebright Lake - You will be escorted into Army Corps of Engineer boats to bring you to beaches all around Englebright Lake for cleanup.

Greenhorn Creek - You will be cleaning up large trash items (tires, metal items). If you have a large truck (preferably 4WD) that would be ideal to help us take the trash directly to the dump for recycling and dumping. There is no trash pick up at this site

Independence Trail Cleanup and Restoration (South Fork of the Yuba) - General cleanup on the West section of the Independence Trail from Trailhead to Picnic Deck, just past Rush Creek: raking leaves, sweeping flumes, removing rocks and debris, weeding, and cutting back plants that are infringing on trail. Please bring labeled Rakes, brooms, pruning shears, gloves, tarps (we may be able to provide these). Also bring water, insect repellent, and a swimsuit for a dip in Rush Creek! Total round-trip miles are 2.4. This site is well suited for those who are unable to do any heavy lifting or strenuous climbing.

Kentucky Creek Restoration Project (At Bridgeport) - This Restoration Project is a strenuous physical activity of removing and pulling invasive non-native plants of Himalayan blackberry and erosion control which involves cutting native hay, hauling hay and brush, and t-post and rebar pounding. Please bring labeled pruning shears or loppers, work gloves, plenty of water, small lunch/snack, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Lang's Crossing on the South Yuba River - Volunteers should meet across the concrete bridge after the South Yuba River crossing.

Miracle Mile (South Fork of the Yuba just downstream of the 49 bridge crossing) - You will need good hiking shoes to get down to the river, and gloves as you might be doing some restoration projects besides general cleaning.

New York Canyon (upstream from Edward’s Crossing on the South Yuba) - This group meets on Friday, September 16

North Yuba River (from the Highway 49 crossing going upstream to Downieville) - You can either pick up trash going upstream on the North Yuba headed towards Downieville or you can help remove large pieces of metal from the river. Some volunteers are working all day not just the morning. But you can end at 11:30 am/ or noon to come to the Bridgeport celebration.

Oregon Creek (Middle Fork of the Yuba) - Picking up trash in the parking lot, beach area upstream and downstream picnic area. This is a good site for children.

Parks Bar (Main stem of the Yuba where Hwy 20 crosses the river)

Pierce Meadow (Highway 80 and Eagle Lakes exit) - You can meet at 8:30 am at the Nevada County Rood Center to carpool or at the Eagle Lake off ramp at 9 am. This site needs strong people and buckets (broken glass). Steep terrain , stuff has to be hauled a long distance (approximately one mile walk in and one mile walk out). Basic trash and campfire detritus and maybe some tires. Need High clearance vehicle or can carpool with others.

Pioneer Park (Deer Creek – downtown Nevada City) - This is a good site for children.

Purdon Crossing (South Fork of the Yuba)

Spenceville Wildlife Refuge (Dry Creek)

Tyler Foote Crossing – Middle Fork of the Yuba River - Please be at the Schoolhouse by 8:30 am to catch the ride to the trailhead. Wear long pants and good hiking shoes as there is hiking involved in this site. There are large items to remove so need to be strong and able to carry the trash up the trail to the trucks for removal.

Washington (6 locations in the town of Washington area) - You will be separated into different groups at the bridge; continue driving to specified locations. Please wear good hiking boots for some of these sites as you will be bouldering in unshaded areas.

Washington Highway 20 Overlook - Please wear good hiking boots as the area to be cleaned is steep.

Wolf Creek at Northstar Mine

Wolf Creek at the Safeway store in Grass Valley - You cannot ride your bicycle to this location as you may not ride your bike on the highway

Get more info and sign up for a site at: http://yubariver.org/14th-annual-greater-yuba-river-clean-up-and-restoration-on-line-site-registration/

This community event will take place on Saturday, September 17th from 9am to noon. Stay after the cleanup for a celebration at Bridgeport including free organic lunch from 12 - 3pm with entertainment.

It’s easy to get involved.  Simply contact the organization using the information provided below, or visit http://www.sierranevada.ca.gov/rivercleanup 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).

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

Dates For Participation: September 17, 2011