Ways to Protect Water

We need your help to protect our local waters!

Water pollution primarily comes from residents and you
are the most important solution to stormwater pollution.
Learn how you can help prevent stormwater pollution
and improve our community.

Take Action

Mercury

Mercury is very toxic to people and wildlife, and some of its uses have resulted in widespread contamination of the environment. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Mercury

Pesticides

Using less or non-toxic alternatives in your garden is important for a healthy garden, the beneficial bugs, our waterways, and our ecosystem. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Pesticides

Pet Waste

When pet waste is improperly disposed of, it can be picked up by stormwater runoff and washed into storm drains then directly to the river without being treated. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Pet Waste

Trash

Litter from sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and nature areas eventually find its way into our rivers. Let’s work together to protect and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the community for our enjoyment now…and for our children’s enjoyment in the future.

Stop pollution at the source:

Learn more
Trash
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  • Mercury

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  • Pet Waste

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  • Trash

Events Calendar

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  • River City Waterway Alliance – Arcade River Cleanup at Riverdale
    09:00 -12:00
    01/02/2025

    We will meet at Camp Pollock. Mark will lead the volunteer crew around the surrounding woodlands area to continue mopping up new trash, as well as any legacy items that have evaded us the past couple of years.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, gloves, long pants and shirts, sun protection and sturdy footwear. A limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!💚
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
    Link to Events:
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance/events
    Link to YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/@rivercitywaterway

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  • American River Parkway Foundation – Parkway Beautification
    09:00 -12:00
    01/03/2025

    **14+ Only **\

    Join us in beautifying a specific section of the American River Parkway! This included painting, powerwashing, weeding, mulching and more to refresh the most at need recreation areas on the Parkway.

    Volunteers 17 and under must bring a Youth Waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers 15 and under must be accompanied at all times by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers 18 and over must bring a completed and signed 2025 Waiver.

    CANCELLATION POLICY:
    For the safety of our volunteers, ARPF volunteer events are subject to cancellation in the case of weather, flooding, and other natural causes. Cancellations will be posted on the ARPF calendar at least 24 hours before the event start time, and all registered volunteers will receive an email notification.

  • River City Waterway Alliance – Ali’s Friday Cleanup at Brooktree Creek 9.0
    09:00 -12:00
    01/03/2025

    This series of cleanups are being made possible by a Watershed Stewardship and Education Grant awarded by the Sacramento County Stormwater Quality Program. We would like to sincerely thank the County for funds needed to keep our volunteers properly equipped.
    Please join Team Ali for another important cleanup of Brooktree Creek, a major source of encampment trash and debris that we find in upper stretches of Arcade Creek. We will continue to partner with Arcade Creek – Adopt A Creek Project.
    AGE LIMIT: This event is not suitable for minors under 14 years old. Minors older than 14 are invited, but must be supervised by a responsible adult during the entire event.
    Please bring water and only do what you are comfortable doing. As always, you can leave whenever you want or need. This cleanup location has some challenging access spots into the creek and may require a rope to get into the channel, however, there are some flat spots as well for easy pickings. There will be water in the creek, therefore, hip and/or chest waders are recommended. There will be hauling involved in the event you don’t have waders, so please come out and lend a hand regardless.
    We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy waterproof footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. If you have a cultivator or shovel, those will also be handy. There will be water in the creek. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to get into the water, if any. Entry into any waters is always optional.
    As with all events shared on our Page, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!, as Bill Templin says. Thank you! 💚
    Arcade Creek Adopt-A-Creek Project
    https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeCreekAACP
    River City Waterway Alliance
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance

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  • Elk Grove Anti Trash Volunteers – Laguna Creek Drainage Zone off Dever Circle
    09:00 -10:45
    01/04/2025

    It has certainly been a while since we have hit this area. But after David and Khaliah scouted this drainage zone, and unless the city cleans it up, there will be plenty for us to do.
    It appears as though there are several spots where camps have been abandoned, but all the trash remains. And because the drainage zone flows directly into Laguna Creek, we find it very important to try to get this area cleaned up.
    There may be other spots that we can hit up and down the creek as well as towards the apartment complex nearby.
    This will be time well spent, but please pay attention to this post in case weather cancels, or the location changes.
    Elk Grove is worth the work!
    New to cleanups? Please arrive early to get signed in and get gear. If you have supplies, please bring your own gloves, buckets, bags, but we have items for you. Buckets, gloves, grabbers, vests, bags.
    Please wear appropriate clothing, boots 🥾 or closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, hats, and bring your own water.
    All cleanups are done at your own risk, but safety first! Our trash safety talk starts promptly at 9:00 am.
    See you soon!!
    Let’s Clean Elk Grove together!

  • River City Waterway Alliance – Arcade Creek Cleanup at Norwood (55.0)
    09:00 -12:00
    01/04/2025

    ****𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 – 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 NORTHWEST 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐩 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑 𝐭𝐨 9:00 𝐚.𝐦. ****
    Our apologies, but this will be a 14-and-Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area. All minors must be accompanied by an adult during the entire event.
    We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will be conducted in coordination with our friends at Forensiclean who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!
    Sturdy boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended due to thorns and stickers on the vegetation. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, shovels, cultivators, rakes and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!💚
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
    Link to Events:
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance/events
    Link to YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/@rivercitywaterwayalliance4646

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  • American River Parkway Foundation – Invasive Plant Patrol Meet Up
    09:00 -12:00
    01/06/2025

    **All ages and skill levels welcome at this event**

    This meet up is for all volunteers interested in our Invasive Plant Patrol Program! Join us as we pull invasive plants, share knowledge with other plant enthusiasts, and work on our invasive plant goals for 2024.

    If you can’t make this meet up but want to learn more about how you can get involved with the American River Parkway Foundation’s Plant Patrol Program please email us at volunteer@arpf.org.

    Volunteers 17 and under must bring a Youth Waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers 15 and under must also be accompanied at all times by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers 18 and over must bring a completed and signed 2024 Waiver.

    CANCELLATION POLICY:
    For the safety of our volunteers, ARPF volunteer events are subject to cancellation in the case of weather, flooding, and other natural causes. Cancellations will be posted on the ARPF calendar at least 24 hours before the event start time, and all registered volunteers will receive an email notification.

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  • River City Waterway Alliance – American River Geocache Cleanup at Sacramento Bar
    09:00 -12:00
    01/08/2025

    Geocaching for Trash! A trash scavenger hunt using Google Earth.
    Sacramento County Regional Parks asked if we could take on this project. We all love exploring new areas and are always up for a challenge. Many will remember our huge Bannister Park cleanup during April 2023 when we teamed up with American River Lost and Found, and 53 volunteers, to remove 15,000 pounds of trash from one camp. (See pictures in comments)
    This area is a maze of left over historic tailings from old hydraulic mining days. We will use Google Earth mapping to find our way through the maze to remove scattered trash. The event will start with a brief lesson on how to navigate using your phone. Come prepared with Google Earth installed. https://apps.apple.com/app/id293622097.
    AGE LIMIT: This event is not suitable for minors under 14 years old. Minors older than 14 are invited, but must be supervised by a responsible adult during the entire event.
    Please bring water and only do what you are comfortable doing. As always, you can leave whenever you want or need. This cleanup location has easy access and many flat spots for easy pickings.
    We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy waterproof footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. If you have a cultivator or shovel, those could also be handy. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to enter any streams or rivers. Entry into any waters is always optional.
    As with all events shared on our Page, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!, as Bill Templin says. Thank you! 💚
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
    Link to Events:
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance/events
    Link to YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/@rivercitywaterway

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  • River City Waterway Alliance – Arcade Creek Cleanup at Norwood (56.0)
    09:00 -12:00
    01/10/2025

    ****𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 – 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 NORTHWEST 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐩 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑 𝐭𝐨 9:00 𝐚.𝐦. ****
    Our apologies, but this will be a 14-and-Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area. All minors must be accompanied by an adult during the entire event.
    We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will be conducted in coordination with our friends at Forensiclean who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!
    Sturdy boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended due to thorns and stickers on the vegetation. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, shovels, cultivators, rakes and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available.
    As with all events shared on RCWA, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose” as Bill Templin says.
    Thank you!💚
    River City Waterway Alliance
    “Restoring & Protecting Our Waterways”
    Instagram @RiverCityWaterwayAlliance
    Link to Events:
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance/events
    Link to YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/@rivercitywaterwayalliance4646

  • River City Waterway Alliance – Ali’s Friday Cleanup at Brooktree Creek 10.0
    09:00 -12:00
    01/10/2025

    This series of cleanups are being made possible by a Watershed Stewardship and Education Grant awarded by the Sacramento County Stormwater Quality Program. We would like to sincerely thank the County for funds needed to keep our volunteers properly equipped.
    Please join Team Ali for another important cleanup of Brooktree Creek, a major source of encampment trash and debris that we find in upper stretches of Arcade Creek. We will continue to partner with Arcade Creek – Adopt A Creek Project.
    AGE LIMIT: This event is not suitable for minors under 14 years old. Minors older than 14 are invited, but must be supervised by a responsible adult during the entire event.
    Please bring water and only do what you are comfortable doing. As always, you can leave whenever you want or need. This cleanup location has some challenging access spots into the creek and may require a rope to get into the channel, however, there are some flat spots as well for easy pickings. There will be water in the creek, therefore, hip and/or chest waders are recommended. There will be hauling involved in the event you don’t have waders, so please come out and lend a hand regardless.
    We will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy waterproof footwear, grabbers, buckets, and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. If you have a cultivator or shovel, those will also be handy. There will be water in the creek. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to get into the water, if any. Entry into any waters is always optional.
    As with all events shared on our Page, participation is performed solely at your own risk. Please place safety FIRST and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Moreover, participants will be required to sign a Release and Waiver form if they have not done so previously.
    Overall, be safe, have fun and get some “Exercise with a Purpose”!, as Bill Templin says. Thank you! 💚
    Arcade Creek Adopt-A-Creek Project
    https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeCreekAACP
    River City Waterway Alliance
    https://www.facebook.com/rivercitywaterwayalliance

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  • American River Parkway Foundation – Parkway Clean-Up (Open Mile from Mile Steward Program)
    09:00 -12:00
    01/11/2025

    Mile Stewards
    In 1993, the Parkway Foundation founded the “Adopt-the-Parkway” initiative. “Mile Stewards” adopt each of the 23 miles of Parkway along both banks of the river. This program allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to have a close, personal stake in the well-being of the Parkway.

    There are two types – volunteer and financial. Both are recognized on a Parkway sign located along the paved bike trail of “their” mile. There are 46 Volunteer Mile Stewards (two for each mile – one on the North side of the river and one on the South) and 46 Financial Mile Stewards along the Parkway.
    American River Parkway Mile stewards
    Volunteer Mile Stewards

    Volunteer Mile Stewards make a two-year commitment to serve a minimum amount of hours per quarter (20 hours for groups, 9 hours for individuals) to conserving their mile by helping to remove trash and graffiti, organizing group clean-up efforts and filing condition reports. Volunteer Mile Stewards provide 3500+ hours of service and remove thousands of pounds of garbage from the Parkway every year!

    Financial Mile Stewards

    Financial Mile Stewards/Sponsors make a two-year commitment to contribute $1,500 per year. This contribution covers the hard costs of the volunteer mile stewardship (volunteer coordination, tools, and equipment, for example) that includes trash removal, invasive plant management and trail maintenance.

    See Mile Steward Features

    Make Your Mile Sponsorship Payment Here

    Thank you to our current and previous Mile Stewards! For information about joining the program, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@arpf.org or 916-486-2773.

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  • American River Conservancy – Cosumnes River Water Quality Monitoring
    08:00 -12:00
    01/18/2025

    Whether you’re an experienced environmentalist or someone looking to make a difference in your spare time, we welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and experience levels to join our Water Quality Monitoring team! Training and support will be provided to ensure you feel confident and equipped for the role. Trained volunteers record field measurements, document habitat conditions and observe species throughout the Cosumnes River Watershed every third Friday and Saturday of the month. This important and rewarding program allows volunteers to see and intimately know some of the most beautiful river spots along the Upper Cosumnes River Watershed. For more information click the link.

    For questions, please email stewardship@arconservancy.org.

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  • American River Parkway Foundation – Native Plant Garden
    09:00 -12:00
    01/23/2025

    **All ages welcome at this site**

    Join us for our winter planting in ARPF’s Native Plant Garden! Volunteers will lay mulch, water plants, and pull weeds. Please arrive by 8:50am to sign in and receive a safety briefing. Note, planting is dependant on plant availability from the nursery. There will be volunteer work no matter what!

    Volunteers 17 and under must bring a Youth Waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers 15 and under must be accompanied at all times by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers 18 and over must bring a completed and signed 2024 Waiver.

    CANCELLATION POLICY:
    For the safety of our volunteers, ARPF volunteer events are subject to cancellation in the case of weather, flooding, and other natural causes. Cancellations will be posted on the ARPF calendar at least 24 hours before the event start time, and all registered volunteers will receive an email notification.

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  • American River Parkway Foundation – Native Garden Project
    09:00 -12:00
    01/26/2025

    California Department of Fish and Wildlife

    Description
    Help us prepare for our native garden at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center!

    Eligibility
    Ages: 16+
    Purpose
    By creating a native plant garden we help boost local biodiversity and gives wildlife and pollinators the support they need to flourish!

    Role
    Our focus will be in rock removal right outside visitor center, mulching, and some invasive species removal. Gardening tools will be provided.

    Location
    Gold River, CA 95670 (sign up to see exact location)

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February

Please note: SSQP does not host or directly represent all events listed on this calendar. We encourage you to visit the official websites of the respective organizations for the most up-to-date information on events and any potential changes.

 

 

Man walking dog

Pet waste is a significant, yet preventable, water pollutant. Please clean up after your pet!

Not all bugs are bad! Learn how
good bugs can defend your home
against pests

Landscape and Nursery Expo

Businesses from all around participate in this annual event. Residents can learn various landscape techniques as well as purchase supplies, equipment, and attend educational seminars.

Tuesday, May 3

For More Information

Contact the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership at

ssqpinfo@cityofsacramento.org
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