The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) held its 28th annual Yuba River Cleanup event on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 9am to noon. SYRCL would like to thank the 657 volunteers who donated their time and energy to help remove trash from 25 sites throughout the Yuba watershed. SYRCL would especially like to thank the 29 individuals who took on the extra responsibility of being a site leader at the many different sites throughout the watershed.
This year’s Cleanup placed a special emphasis on micro trash, the small, stubborn items like cigarette butts, plastic dental floss picks, broken glass, and bits of plastic that are easy to overlook but have an outsized impact on water quality, wildlife, and the beauty of the river. While final numbers are still being compiled, early estimates show that volunteers collectively removed over 8,000 pounds of trash and recycling, including thousands of pieces of micro-trash.
Some of the stranger items found this year were a chandelier, a fishnet skirt, a mining beam, and an antique animal trap.
The Annual Yuba River Cleanup is the culmination of SYRCL’s river stewardship efforts throughout the river season which relies on its River Ambassador program in partnership with California State Parks, as well as coordinated river safety messaging as part of the Yuba River Safety Cohort with Nevada County. SYRCL’s River Ambassador program ran on the weekends from 10am to 2pm at Highway 49 and Bridgeport Crossings from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In the summer of 2025, River Ambassadors interacted with 8,827 of the over 36,407 visitors they counted at the crossings, 88.2% of them from out of town. Through their interactions, River Ambassadors encouraged river safety, fire safety, and proper trash disposal.
All in all, the Yuba River watershed is healthier and cleaner thanks to the enormous outpouring of time, energy, and concern by the community. SYRCL is proud to have helped lead its annual Yuba River Cleanup and is grateful to all the volunteers who donated their time and effort, as well as all the individuals, agencies, businesses, and organizations who helped sponsor this event.
“SYRCL’s Cleanup is only possible because of the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors,” said Aaron Zettler-Mann, SYRCL’s Executive Director. “From site leaders to first-time participants, every person who showed up made a difference. Together, we removed thousands of pounds of harmful trash, much of it micro trash that often slips under the radar. Together we took another important step toward a cleaner, healthier Yuba River.”
This year’s Cleanup was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors and in-kind donors. Sponsors of the 2025 Cleanup were Nevada County, AJA Video, Briar Patch Food Co-Op, Yuba Water Agency, Waste Management, Recology Yuba-Sutter, Body Logic Physical Therapy, A-One Tax, Stantec Consulting Services, Balance Hydrologics, Sierra Pacific Industries, Mike Bratton – State Farm Insurance, Sierra Gold Parks Foundation, California Solar, Safeway, Teichert Rock Products, Gold Country Kiwanis Club, B & C Ace Home & Garden Center, SCO Planning and Engineering, Sierra College, Clientworks, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, All Phase Heating & Air, Economy Pest Control, Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty, Leora Coronel Jewelry, Nevada County Cannabis Alliance, Jernigan’s, Nevada City Self Storage, Donner Summit Public Utilities District, Smile Business Products, SRC Event Rentals, and Fit for Life Physical Therapy
In-kind contributions were made by California Organics, Flour Garden Bakery, Holiday Market, National Environmental Education Foundation, Teva, Athletic Brewing Company, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co, Carl’s Jr., and SPD Market.
To find out more about SYRCL, see other volunteer opportunities, and find out other ways to get involved protecting and preserving the Yuba River watershed, go to: www.yubariver.org.