Once a year, the San Diego River Park Foundation gets special permits to take kayaks out into the water at the San Diego Estuary (where the river meets the ocean near Ocean Beach). The organization carefully coincides with this event with the King Tides, and to avoid the nesting season for specific endangered species, such as the Light-footed Ridgeway Rail. This year’s event took place in early January with support from more than 75 green and clean community clean-up volunteers, working on kayaks and onshore, collectively removing more than two tons of trash.

Removing trash from the river is vital to the San Diego River Park Foundation’s efforts to preserve a clean and healthy river. Everything from utensils, straws, cups, tennis balls, shoes, pizza cartons, and more – was pulled out of the river. Much of the pollution removed was washed downstream into this important wildlife area during the recent rain storm making it a crucial time to maximize restoration and clean-up efforts. On a bright note, volunteers reported fewer plastic bags than in years passed, likely due to recent bans on plastic bags in San Diego County.

Since 2004, San Diego River Park Foundation team members and volunteers have removed more than 3 million pounds of trash from the river. In 2022, more than 100 tons (200,000 pounds) of trash were removed through our clean and community clean-up events.

You can get involved. On Saturdays throughout the year, volunteers gather to help create a healthier, cleaner, safer San Diego River Park system. Not only is this a great way to give back to the community and improve the health of the river, but this is also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people. For dates, times, and meeting locations for upcoming clean-up events, visit https://sandiegoriver.galaxydigital.com/need/.

Photos by Pat Rice