River Rally seeks help
Every year, with gloves on and large orange trash bags in hand, hundreds of volunteers scour the Santa Clara River bed. With the 24th annual event underway, the city of Santa Clarita is looking for volunteers once again.
The River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo is scheduled 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. This year, the event will stretch along Wiley Canyon Road, off the Via Princessa Bridge and east of Orchard Village Road.
Nearly half of the Santa Clarita Valley’s water supply travels through the Santa Clara River, Southern California’s longest free-flowing river and one of its last two remaining natural river systems, as mentioned on the city’s Green Santa Clarita website.
The river is also home to threatened and endangered species, such as the California condor and the red-legged frog, making the annual event an impactful one, according to city officials.
“This cleanup event has a huge impact,” said Laura Jardine, a project technician with the city’s Environmental Services. “The last time we held the event at this same location, volunteers removed over 9,000 pounds of trash and debris from the river. That helps to beautify and preserve the river in Santa Clarita but also helps remove the trash before rains have the chance to push it further down the watershed.”
To date, volunteers have collected more than 430,000 pounds of trash and debris from the river and surrounding areas, the Green Santa Clarita website reads.
Last year, more than 1,200 volunteers participated and those numbers are expected for the 24th annual event, said Jardine. The volunteer opportunity is suited for scout troops, youth groups and families.
To incorporate education, the event will offer its Environmental Expo, which aims to “educate people about proper disposal and other conservation efforts,” Jardine said. Attendees can expect to learn helpful tips on multiple topics, such as recycling, pollution prevention and wildlife conservation programs offered locally.
Jardine added that this year’s event is planning a commemorative giveaway made out of recycled material, which will be available while supplies last.
Participants are advised to wear sturdy shoes, appropriate clothing for walking in the riverbed, sunscreen, a hat and a reusable water bottle. Gloves and collection bags will be provided the day of the event. Due to limited parking at the site, where the entrance is through a maintenance gate off Wiley Canyon Road, attendees are encouraged to carpool, walk or bike to the event. Free bike valet will be provided by Performance Cyclery. No pets are allowed.
Refreshments such as coffee and donuts will also be provided at the start of the event.
Those interested in participating should register in advance at greensantaclarita.com or call the River Rally hotline at 661-284-1415. The deadline is at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21.