Attention Russian River Watershed Stewards!
Throughout the United States, the week starting on the third Monday of September is recognized as National Pollution Prevention Week. In much of California, including the Russian River watershed, cities, counties, and other stewardship organizations are recognizing the fourth week of September as Creek Week.
During Creek Week, creek, river, and ocean clean-up campaigns will take place throughout Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. The Russian River watershed consists of over 150 creeks that provide water supply, wildlife habitat, flood capacity, and recreation. Unfortunately, trash and debris accumulation in local waterways impair water quality, wildlife habitat, and, at times, recreation and flood capacity.
Creek Week is a great opportunity to take part in activities that connect you with your community and environmental practices that help protect our creeks!
You can contribute to the health of the Russian River ecosystem by participating in creek and river cleanup events throughout the watershed!
Please note: The following information is correct to the best of RRWA’s knowledge; please contact the appropriate hosting agency or organization to confirm meeting times, locations, and to sign up. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may affect some events. Please check with the hosting agency or organization regularly. Any updates will be posted to this website as soon as they are received.
The California Coastal Commission has put together an English and Spanish resource on how to participate in Creek Week activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guidance for Neighborhood Cleanups document can be viewed by clicking here.
INDEPENDENT CLEANUPS – RUSSIAN RIVERKEEPER
Sign-up: www.russianriverkeeper.org/rrwcd
Details: Saturday, September 16 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Russian Riverkeeper is pleased to announce the exciting plans we have in store for the 37th annual Russian River Watershed Cleanup on Saturday, September 16th, 2023. It’s a fun opportunity to gather together and show the river some love, and all volunteers get a special gift and be entered into a drawing to win gift cards from local businesses!
They’re looking forward to gathering again for their largest cleanup of the year which will remove the trash that accumulates over the summer months on the Russian River. There will be teams across the watershed from Ukiah to Monte Rio. Each volunteer gets a special thank you gift for participating!
The Russian River Watershed Cleanup will feature opportunities for organizational teams and individuals to help shape the future of river parks, future trails, and riparian habitats needed for healthy ecosystems. You are encouraged to join in the spirit of stewardship, community, and fun. Our river is our most valuable natural resource and benefits our entire community – Your help is very much needed and appreciated! For questions or to arrange an independent cleanup, contact info@russianriverkeeper.org.
Select a location below and register:
- Asti Bridge in Cloverdale – Additional information on Cloverdale events can be viewed here.
- Cloverdale near the cemetery
- Geyserville Bridge
- Healdsburg– Starting at Veterans Memorial Beach
- Town of Windsor Walking Routes
- Santa Rosa Creek at Olive Park
- Steelhead Beach in Forestville (FULL)
- Sunset Beach in Forestville (FULL)
- Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville
- Hulbert Creek in Guerneville (FULL)
- Monte Rio Parks and Rec. District
CITY OF HEALDSBURG – FOSS CREEK CLEAN-UP
Sign-Up: If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Michael Harrigan at (707) 431-3399
Details: Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Meet at the Healdsburg Community Center to join the City of Healdsburg for the Foss Creek Clean-Up! This community event provides an opportunity for residents to participate in the maintenance and protection of our waterways by removing trash and debris from Foss Creek. All volunteers will receive breakfast and a commemorative t-shirt, however, we encourage you to reuse your old commemorative t-shirt if you have one from a previous Foss Creek Clean-up!
TOWN OF WINDSOR – PARTNER WITH THE 37th ANNUAL RUSSIAN RIVERKEEPER EVENT
Sign-Up: www.russianriverkeeper.org/rrwcd
Details: Saturday, September 16 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Sign up and remember to bring you water, sunscreen, a hat, and good walking shoes and help us clean Windsor because Every Litter Bit Counts! All participants receive a free gift and snacks. View Flyer
1. East Windsor Creek – Exchange Bank parking lot, 8700 Windsor Rd, Windsor, CA
2. Shiloh/Conde/Windsor Road – Russian River Brewery parking lot 700 Mitchell Ln, Windsor, CA
UKIAH VALLEY RUSSIAN RIVER CLEANUP
Hosted by Mendocino County Resource Conservation District, County of Mendocino, and Redwood Waste Solutions
Sign-Up: Pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/52epcd6y For more info, contact Jessica at j.reid@mcrcd.org.
Details: Saturday, September 23 from 8:30 AM to Noon
Help keep litter off our streets and out of our creeks, river, and ocean! Join your neighbors, friends, and family at Low Gap Park in Ukiah. Bring a water bottle, sturdy shoes & work gloves. No flip flops! Pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/52epcd6y. Download the flyer here.
INDEPENDENT CLEANUPS – COASTWALK’S COASTAL CLEANUP
Sign-Up:
Registration is open! To learn more and to register please visit California Coastal Cleanup Day with Coastwalk
Details: Saturday, September 23 from 9AM-12PM
Coastwalk and our Sonoma County Partners will be at the following locations GOAT ROCK BEACH, SHELL BEACH, NORTH SALMON CREEK, SOUTH SALMON CREEK & PINNACLE GULCH BEACH
CITY OF COTATI
Sign-Up:Register at https://cotati.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=911
Details:Anytime between 9/16 & 9/23
Take a stroll along Laguna de Santa Rosa creek trail in Cotati and pick up whatever trash you can during the City’s unhosted creek clean up event.
For your convenience, there will be trash and recycle carts located at Pocket Park off of Loretto Ave., on East Cotati Ave. at the Laguna trail entrance behind New Hope Church, and off of Commerce Blvd. before the new roundabout and the Rohnert Park entrance, on the creek trail where you can dispose of your trash.
If you would like to borrow buckets and trash grabbers, please reach out to the City of Cotati Public Works Dept. at 707-665-3638.
After you complete your cleanup, please report back to us approximately how many 5 gallon buckets of trash, and/or recycle you collected. Email your results to hbabits@cotaticity.org.
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
Sign-Up: See below
Details: Multiple events! See below
- Beginner’s Nature Journaling in the Laguna
Sat., Sept. 16 | 8:00-11:00AM | Register - Guided Nature Walk at Flat Rock Park
Sun., Sept. 17 | 10:00AM-Noon | WAITLIST - Downtown Underground Tour
Tues., Sept. 19, 4:00-5:00PM (WAITLIST) & 5:30-6:30PM (WAITLIST) - Thurs., Sept. 21, 4:00-5:00PM (WAITLIST) & 5:30-6:30PM (WAITLIST)
- Tour de Creek Trail Bike Ride
Fri., Sept. 22 | 5:30-7:00PM | Register - Creek to Coast Cleanup Day
Sat., Sept.23 | 10 AM-Noon | Register - Virtual Creek Week Activities
INDEPENDENT CLEANUPS – SONOMA COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS
Sign-Up: Details below
Details: September 23, 2023
Don your gloves, grab a bucket and become a steward of the environment! Register for one of these events!
California Coastal Clean Up: Maxwell Farms
California Coastal Clean Up: Doran Beach
Best Management Practices for Handling Sharps
During Cleanup Events
RRWA is pleased to provide the following sharps guidance flyers for cleanup organizers and volunteers. The guidance was compiled from numerous local state and national organizations and reviewed and collectively polished by our regional partners.
For additional information about sharps, visit
ZeroWasteSonoma.gov/materials/sharps-needle or SafeNeedleDisposal.org
Creek Week/Pollution Prevention Week Proclamations
Creek Week/Pollution Prevention Week Proclamation 2023
Creek Week/Pollution Prevention Week Proclamation 2022
Creek Week/Pollution Prevention Week Proclamation 2021
Creek Week/Pollution Prevention Week Proclamation 2022
Creek Week/Pollution Prevention Week Proclamation 2021
RRWA Creek Week Partner / Sponsorships
