Spokane Valley Upriver Scrub set for September 28th
The 11th annual Spokane River Clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th. Up to 1,000 people participate in this annual volunteer event that is organized by Friends of the Falls.
Upriver Scrub is for people who want to focus their river clean-up efforts in Spokane Valley. Since 2010, the Northwest Whitewater Association and Spokane River Forum have partnered with Friends of the Falls to extend river clean-up to Spokane Valley.
Date: September 28th
Meet-up Time, Registration and Safety Talk: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Meet-up Locations: State Line, Harvard Road and Barker Road. Meet at Centennial Trail trailhead at each location.
Sign-up: Registration is not required. Groups planning on working together are encouraged to e-mail the Spokane River Forum at info@spokaneriver.net with numbers of people attending and location they would like to work. This helps organizers assure there are enough supplies for everyone.
Upriver Scrub will have stations set-up at State Line, Harvard Road and Barker Road. Here, you will find supplies, maps and assistance to collect trash and debris on the shoreline. Said Paul Delaney, President of Northwest Whitewater Association, “You just need to wear some sturdy shoes; bring a water bottle, snacks and sunscreen for comfort; and have a good attitude. We’ll help you with the rest.”
When you go to one of the meet-up locations, you’ll be assigned to a clean-up team and be given trash bags, gloves (some people bring their own heavier gloves) and other needed items. The team leader for your group will take you to the designated area and oversee collection activities. The leader will then take you to a trash pick-up location. Here, you will do final sorting of trash and recyclable materials.
Groups and organizations, like high schools, churches, scout troops and service clubs, often bring teams who enjoy working together. People usually volunteer for two to three hours, drop off the trash they collect, and then enjoy the rest of their fall day.
Groups planning on working together are encouraged to e-mail the Spokane River Forum at info@spokaneriver.net with numbers of people attending and location they would like to work. This helps organizers assure there are enough supplies for everyone.
“State Line, Harvard Road and Barker Road are meet-up points because they are also critical locations on the Spokane River Water Trail,” said Andy Dunau, Executive Director of the Spokane River Forum. “These are areas being restored and maintained to make river access and stewardship as enjoyable, safe and easy as possible.” Upriver Scrub locations are managed by Riverside State Park, who works with the Forum on on-going restoration efforts. To see the Spokane River Water Trail on-line, visit www.spokanewatertrail.org.
As part of stewardship activities, NWA and the River Forum will also be installing new interpretive signage at Harvard Road, Barker Road and Mirabeau. In addition, they are looking for one or more groups to volunteer for riparian planting at Barker Road. Spokane Conservation District will be leading restoration activities at Barker Road.