Volunteers sought for East Wetlands cleanup

The Friends of the Wetlands Organization is holding a maintenance/field work day at Yuma’s East Wetlands Saturday, beginning 8 a.m. in the Riverside Park parking lot.

“It’s very important. We’ve had a very high level of maintenance in the wetlands for years, now. And as funding gets reduced or is tighter, we want to maintain that high level, and involving the community has made a big difference,” said Charles Flynn, executive director of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, which includes the wetlands.

Tasks will include removing salt cedar trees, picking up trash and staining benches along the trail. All tools and a water station will be provided, but volunteers are advised to wear comfortable clothing, a hat, sunscreen, closedtoed shoes and gloves, and to bring a refillable water bottle.

Flynn said the periodic cleanups usually draw about 10 volunteers, and this weekend a group of high school students will also be helping out. “We’re just reaching out to a lot of different elements in the community, and it’s been very gratifying to see that response, people value it and want to help out,” he said.

The field work is expected to take three hours and will be overseen by heritage area staff. It will improve conditions in the wetlands by removing non-native invasive species and other debris. The wetlands are an important habitat for many desert species and migrating birds.

Riverside Park can be reached by driving toward the Yuma Territorial Prison on Prison Hill Road, then turning right onto Levee Road near the top of the hill.

Current and new volunteers planning to go are encouraged to call Vianey Avila of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area at (928) 373-5197.