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!
Russian River Watershed Creek Week Clean-Up Events and Activities 2021
The Board of Directors of the Russian River Watershed Association proclaims that September 20-26, 2021 is Pollution Prevention Week and September 19-25, 2021 is Creek Week in the Russian River 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 COVID-19 pandemic and recent wildfires will 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 COVID-19. The Guidance for Neighborhood Cleanups document can be viewed by clicking here.
UKIAH VALLEY RUSSIAN RIVER AND COMMUNITY CLEANUP
Sign-Up: Pre-register at https://forms.gle/6R4NEuAv2cfM6kN68 Contact deborah.edelman@mcrcd.org for more information.
Details: Saturday, September 18 Meet at Low Gap Park, Ukiah. 8 AM to 1 PM
Help us keep litter off our streets and out of our creeks, river and ocean! Help us clean the Upper Russian River, its tributaries and dry land areas to keep trash out of the waterways. This year’s event is designed to keep everyone COVID-safe and we will be cleaning as individuals or in small groups. Volunteers will be given a designated place to clean and a pre-arranged time to pick up cleanup supplies. All participants must agree to watch a pre-recorded safety video. We hope you will join us for this important event!
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
Sign-Up: www.srcity.org/creekweek
Details: September 18-25, 2021
Celebrate throughout the week with fun and engaging activities for all ages. For over a decade Creek Week has offered educational events and volunteer creek cleanups. Creek Week coincides with the California Coastal Commission’s big Creek to Coast Cleanup Day. This event has now spread worldwide. For Creek Week, we invite you and your family to celebrate safely and explore your local creeks in new ways.
- Tools and info to lead a Neighborhood Creek Clean-up
- Online Cleanup Competition
- Virtual Santa Rosa Creek Tour
- Printable Kids Scavenger Hunt
- Downloadable Santa Rosa Creek Trail Maps
- And Much More!
To learn more about Santa Rosa’s Creek Stewardship Program and opportunities to celebrate Creek Week all year long, visit: srcity.org/CreekStewardship
DAILY ACTS AND THE CITY OF COTATI
Sign up: https://dailyacts.org/events-cal/annual-cotati-creek-week-clean-up/
Details: For Group Creek Week Clean-Up on Wednesday, September 22 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Pocket Park Food Forest, Lasalle and Loretto Ave, Cotati. Gather at Pocket Park Food Forest & Demonstration Garden in Cotati to collect distribute all the clean-up gear you’ll need. The clean-up will take place in the creek area behind Pocket Park. Let’s see how many pounds of trash we can clean out and sort from the Cotati Creek together!
Sign up for our Go On Your Own Creek Week Clean-Up Scavenger Hunt
https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/qxidCQW5AmfRByxixR-aB?domain=dailyacts.org/
Details: Complete the scavenger hunt anytime between September 19-25. Daily Acts will send you a scavenger hunt and directions on how to safely complete your creek clean-up. Send Daily Acts photos of your clean-up and the most interesting item you found to get featured on our social media!
CITY OF HEALDSBURG – FOSS CREEK CLEAN-UP
Sign-Up: Email bkageyama@healdsburg.gov OR visit www.facebook.com/cityofhealdsburg
Details: September 25, 2021 from 8:30 am – 12:30. Volunteers meet at the Healdsburg Community Center.
- Check-In Breakfast: 8:30am – 9am
(provided by Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise) - Clean-Up: 9am – 11am
- Awards: 11am – 11:30am
- Lunch: 11:30am – 12:30pm
(provided by Healdsburg Kiwanis)
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
RRWA Creek Week Partner / Sponsorships
