PORTLAND, OR – On Wednesday, October 15, SOLVE, in partnership with Clackamas Water Environment Services, hosted the final event of the Waterway Cleanup Series at High Rocks Park, marking the conclusion of its eighth year.
With the dedication of 41 volunteers, 490 pounds of trash was diverted from the Clackamas River. This wrap-up event capped a summer-long initiative that mobilized more than 1,700 volunteers across 60 events, resulting in the removal of over 31,000 pounds of litter from rivers, streams, and creeks across the region, roughly equivalent to removing the weight of 200 tires from Oregon’s waterways.
Running from May through October, the Waterway Cleanup Series focused on protecting the health of rivers and streams across the Pacific Northwest, including the Molalla, Rogue, Siletz, Willamette, Clackamas, and Columbia Rivers. Volunteers tackled litter before it could flow downstream and harm wildlife, helping to ensure cleaner water for recreation and for future generations.
“Each bag of litter collected is a small but powerful act of care for our rivers,” said Kris Carico, Chief Executive Officer of SOLVE. “I know it can feel overwhelming to pick up the total amount of debris accumulating in our waterways, but every single piece removed makes a difference. It’s the combined effort of volunteers across the region that keeps our rivers cleaner and healthier for everyone.”…