Another productive, albeit shortened Summer Waterway Cleanups Series partnership with Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) and SOLVE, is in the books.
As part of the cleanup effort, volunteers removed more than 10,000 pounds of trash from waterways and natural areas throughout Clackamas County.
“We’re really appreciative of all the help we can get,” Matt Jordan, North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District program coordinator, said at a WES and SOLVE joint cleanup effort event at 3 Creeks Natural Area in Milwaukie last year.
“It’s great that people are coming out, volunteering their time and having such a positive influence on the site.”
The county said nearly 1,000 volunteers, including 134 youth, followed Covid-19 safety guidelines during the 52 cleanup events held last year. Highlights included cleanups at 3 Creeks, Clackamette Park in Oregon City, Riverside Park in Clackamas and Happy Valley Park.
“It’s important that community members are coming together to take care of our shared spaces,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “And it’s important, right now, for people to be able to get out of their houses and come together safely. And it’s also just really important that we’re keeping the trash out of our rivers.”
Other WES partners include the Clackamas River Basin Council, We Love Clean Rivers, Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, and the City of Oregon City.
For more information about cleanup events and how you can get involved, visit SOLVE’s website at solveoregon.org.