Local citizens are banding together to tackle litter in the Tuolumne River as part of National Day of Service and Remembrance, the American Rivers National River Cleanup and the Great Sierra River Cleanup. On Saturday, September, 12^th the Tuolumne River Trust will conduct, “Teaming up for the Tuolumne,” a stream cleanup involving the City of Modesto, Hi-Tec Sports and various community and civic volunteers.  The cleanup will begin at 9am at Legion Park as volunteer’s canoe the river and walk along the Tuolumne River Regional Park in Modesto.  All volunteers will be receiving discount coupons from Hi-Tec Sports and Valley Sporting Goods.

“The Tuolumne River Trust is dedicated to protecting the Tuolumne River because a healthy community starts with a healthy river. We invite volunteers and families to join us for a morning dedicated to cleaning up our river and keeping it clean and safe for both wildlife and our community.” said Karlha Arias, River Parkway Project Manager.

National River Cleanup, sponsored by American Rivers, is a series of community-based stream cleanups happening nationwide. This popular annual event raises public awareness of the magnitude of trash accumulating in our nation’s waterways.  The Tuolumne River Trust will be participating along with tens of thousands of volunteers in hundreds of cleanups across the country, also removing trash from local rivers and streams.

“The Tuolumne River is so important to our community that we’ve got to take every opportunity we can to protect it, for us and for future generations. Keeping it clean is one way that citizens can do their part for the river we all love,” said Meg Gonzalez, Director of Outreach and Education.

The Tuolumne River Trust considers the river the lifeblood of nearby valley communities, as it creates riparian habitat for river otters, birds and fish, provides irrigation and drinking water to residents of Stanislaus County and serves millions of people in the bay area through the Hetch Hetchy system.

“It’s thrilling to see so many people across the nation pitching in to protect their local river or favorite stream,” said Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers, the organization that sponsors National River Cleanup. “We applaud the work of the Tuolumne River Trust not just for speaking out for the Tuolumne River, but for taking action to keep it healthy.”

Volunteers are asked to contact, Karlha Arias, at 209.236.0330, via email at karlha@tuolumne.org or visit the Tuolumne River Trust at www.tuolumne.org .
Volunteers are asked to meet at 8:45 am at the Tuolumne River Trust booth at Legion Park, which is located at 1200 Tioga Drive in Modesto, CA. 

The Tuolumne Trust is the voice for the River. We seek a healthy and vibrant river that is teeming with fish and wildlife and safe for drinking, fishing and swimming and will be held in trust as a refuge for our children and grandchildren.