The 31st Annual San Lorenzo Valley River and Road Clean-up, organized by The Valley Women’s Club is Saturday, Sept. 16, at locations in Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond and Felton, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Lompico Community Center will hold its annual clean-up the same morning, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The day of environmental action also features the massive Annual Coastal Cleanup, when hundreds of volunteers of all ages will spend the day at 77 beach, river and slough cleanup sites, working to prevent trash from polluting the ocean and the beaches, and endangering marine wildlife in the Monterey Bay.
The Valley Women’s Club and Lompico coordinate the morning effort with Save Our Shores, whose morning Coastal Clean-up now reaches up the San Lorenzo River.
“Each organization emphasizes the link between the health of the San Lorenzo River Watershed to the health of the Bay and the Ocean, and needs volunteers of all ages to come help,” said Nancy Macy of the Valley Women’s Club.
In Felton, volunteers can check-in at the table at the Felton Covered Bridge Park starting at 9 a.m., and can continue until 3 p.m.
Farther up the Valley, participants may come to the Ben Lomond table on Hwy 9 near Fillmore Street, or to the SLV Redemption/Recycling Center (behind the Village Wash & Dry) in Boulder Creek.
Safety is paramount during the cleanup, said Macy. Volunteers are required to sign a waiver of liability, and children 12 and under must be with an adult.
Anyone working along the river or a creek must have a buddy. Volunteers should bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes and readily visible clothing. Safety vests will be available. Large signs warning drivers will be posted along clean-up routes.
Students can earn community service credit for the hours they work; forms are provided.
The River and Road Clean-up is again generously supported by the SLV Water District and the County of Santa Cruz.
Each provides a dump truck and drivers to haul recyclables and trash to the Ben Lomond Transfer Station, where the county will provide free disposal of the trash. The three SLV Redemption/Recycling Centers will process the recyclable materials.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring cars and trucks to help transport materials to the three pick-up points, and are encouraged to enlist family and friends.
Valley Women’s Club volunteers will staff the SLV sign-in/weigh-in stations, provide trash bags, latex gloves, snacks and water, and can suggest cleanup locations.
