Monthly Message from City Manager Ken Striplin The 29th Annual River Rally Cleanup

One of our community’s most-popular volunteer events is the annual River Rally. More than a thousand residents of all ages, dedicate their morning to making our City a cleaner, healthier place to live. This year, the 29th Annual River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo will be held on Saturday, September 21, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the William S. Hart Pony Baseball and Softball Complex (23780 Auto Center Court). This environmentally-focused event invites Santa Clarita residents to help clean up the Santa Clara River, one of Southern California’s last natural free-flowing river systems.
Together, volunteers will work to remove debris from the riverbed and surrounding areas. This crucial work helps improve the health of our natural environment. As a reminder, participants should wear closed-toe shoes, appropriate clothing and sun protection like sunscreen and hats. Bringing a filled, reusable water bottle is recommended, as water refill stations will be available. Plastic water bottles will not be provided in order to reduce waste.
The River Rally is not only a great volunteer opportunity but also critical in maintaining the riverbed. The Santa Clara River faces a significant challenge due to the direct flow of potential debris from the surrounding storm drain system. When streets are littered, this debris eventually makes its way into the riverbed, causing a detrimental impact on its biological health.
In the spirit of being environmentally conscious, I encourage volunteers to use low-pollution transportation options such as carpooling, walking or public transportation to reach this year’s event. For our cyclists, a free bike valet will be provided by Incycle. Residents can expect a fulfilling experience, knowing they are making a positive impact on their local environment while connecting with their community. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit SantaClaritaVolunteers.com to register.