NEVADA CITY, Calif. September 12, 2018 – The Nevada County Board of Supervisors recognized the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) ahead of the 21st Annual River Cleanup this Saturday.
Chair Scofield read the Resolution proclaiming September 15, 2018 as South Yuba River Citizen’s League’s (SYRCL) 21st Annual “Yuba River Cleanup” in Nevada County:
WHEREAS, the mission of the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is to unite the community to protect and restore the Yuba River through science, engaging in active stewardship,educating the public and inspiring activism from the Sierra to the sea; and
WHEREAS, every year more than 700,000 people visit the Yuba River’s swimming holes, beaches and trails, leaving behind tons of trash and recyclable bottles and cans; and
WHEREAS, SYRCL’s Annual Yuba River Cleanup and River Ambassador Program are designed to keep the river clean, healthy and safe; and
WHEREAS, over the past 20 years, SYRCL volunteers have removed 218,000 pounds of trash and recyclables; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 over 880 volunteers removed approximately 12,000 pounds of trash and 1,100 pounds of recyclables from nearly 80 miles of rivers, creeks, and lake shorelines at 36sites within the Yuba River and Bear River watersheds; and
WHEREAS, families love the Cleanup and it is an excellent team building opportunity for youth and school groups, clubs, faith-based organizations, and businesses to build camaraderie and leadership skills while cleaning up trash and trails in our cherished watershed; and
WHEREAS, keeping the river from being trashed is more than a one-day-a-year activity; and
WHEREAS, since 2012, a group of dedicated volunteer River Ambassadors have spent every summer weekend educating visitors at the four major State Park river crossings about howto keep our waterways clean and safe; and
WHEREAS, SYRCL’s River Ambassadors promote an ethic of responsible, non-polluting use of the river by speaking one-on-one with park guests at crossings, beaches, and on trails using a friendly, non-confrontational approach to bring awareness to the polluting impacts of trash and dog waste, the dangers of broken glass, the importance of recycling and the catastrophic potential of wildfire; and
WHEREAS, River Ambassadors have spoken to more than 36,000 river-goers, removed 33,000 pieces of trash, and collected more than 4,000 piles of dog waste, and work diligently to keep our river healthy by also providing dog waste and trash bags to recreationists.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Nevada County hereby proclaims September 15, 2018 as Yuba River Cleanup in Nevada County, and encourages volunteers to register early for their favorite Cleanup sites at www.yubariver.org for a family-friendly, fun morning spent cleaning up and restoring the river, followed by an afternoon volunteer appreciation party with free lunch for registered volunteers at Pioneer Park in Nevada City.