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
  • icon5
  • Mercury

  • icon8
  • Pesticides

  • icon7
  • Pet Waste

  • icon9
  • Trash

Events Calendar

< 2025 >
June
«
»
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  • City of Galt – Oil Filter Exchange

    City of Galt – Oil Filter Exchange

    10:00 -13:00
    2025.06.07

    The City of Galt will host a Used Oil Filter Exchange on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at O’ Reilly Auto Parts.

    For every oil filter recycled, you can receive a new one for free (limit 2).

    Not for use by commercial automotive or repair facilities.

    Saturday, June 7, 2025
    O’ Reilly Auto Parts
    10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    10370 Twin Cities Rd, Galt 95632

8
9
10
11
12
  • American River Cleanup @ The Pipe Bridge

    American River Cleanup @ The Pipe Bridge

    08:30 -11:30
    2025.06.12

    Clean up location: 1633 Dreher Street

    Due to a concerted effort by RCWA volunteers and Sacramento County Regional Parks, all the heaping piles of trash along the Sacramento Northern Bikeway Trail Bridge (the Pipe Bridge) are quickly vanishing! Nevertheless, there are still a few trashy spots left so we are headed back.

     

    We will focus on the steep, rocky river banks, where no one else will go. There will also be plenty of easy trash nearby for those not able to brave the steep banks. There should be something for everyone.  Sturdy footwear, long pants and long-sleeve shirts are highly recommended. This will be a difficult level event with a moderate walk.

     

    We have permission to park on top of the levee. At 8:15 am, we will form a caravan starting at 1633 Dreher Street (located off North 16th Street just before Capitol Casino) and drive in together. The gate will be closed and locked at 8:30 am sharp, so please be early.

     

    This event is not suitable for minors under 14 years old. Minors older than 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult during the entire event.

  • Master Gardeners – Open Garden

    Master Gardeners – Open Garden

    16:00 -19:00
    2025.06.12

    Fair Oaks Horticulture Center (map and directions)
    11549 Fair Oaks Boulevard
    Fair Oaks, CA 95628

    Join UC Master Gardeners on Thursday evening. Peruse at your own pace through the Water-Efficient Landscape gardens full of blooming perennials. Wonder among fragrant culinary herbs, raised vegetable beds, fruit orchards, citrus trees, berry varieties, and table grapes in the vineyard. A large compost area is past the pond and up the hill, teaching ways to turn kitchen and yard waste into soil amendment. Don’t miss the working red wigglers in the worm bin, and learn how to start a bin at your home.

    Open gardens are informal FREE events where you roam the gardens, watch what we are doing, see what we are growing and ask questions. Bring samples of your problem plants, mystery pests and questions to the “Ask the Master Gardeners” information table.  Get one-on-one advice based on the most recent research-based sustainable practices.

    All areas are staffed with Master Gardeners: grapes, herbs, fruit trees, citrus, vegetables, berries, composting, and water-efficient landscape gardens.

    This event will coincide with the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District’s monthly food truck mania and car show.

    Located outside–rain or heat wave.

    No pets, please!

13
  • Ali’s Friday Arcade Creek Cleanup at Pasadena Avenue (5.0)

    Ali’s Friday Arcade Creek Cleanup at Pasadena Avenue (5.0)

    08:30 -11:30
    2025.06.13

    Clean up location: 4740 Pasadena Avenue

     

    We made so much progress completing the 1.5 mile stretch upstream from the Capital City Freeway over the past month that we are advancing our Maintenance Mode sweeps all the way to Pasadena Avenue! From there, we will retreat downstream slightly, then work upstream (hopefully all the way to College Oak Drive by American River College). This is a stretch we haven’t needed to visit since way back in August of last year.

     

    For this cleanup, we will park on a local neighbor’s property on Pasadena Avenue (with permission). Please note, we will park on the NORTH side of the creek – there is no vehicle bridge over the creek from Winding Way so please check your directions closely before embarking.   We will start PROMPTLY at 8:30 am so please arrive a few minutes early to get settled and unpacked.

     

    Please bring lots of water and only do what you are comfortable doing. The creek is fairly dry making trash and debris easily accessible and visible.  Rain boots or sturdy shoes and long shirts/pants are advised.

     

    This event is not suitable for minors under 12 years old. Minors 12 or older must be supervised by a responsible adult during the entire event.

     

14
  • Arcade Creek Cleanup @ Norwood with Caltrans

    Arcade Creek Cleanup @ Norwood with Caltrans

    08:30 -11:30
    2025.06.14

    Clean up location: 3270 Norwood Avenue

     

    Since January 2023, River City Waterway Alliance has hosted more than 700 volunteer cleanup events during which its volunteers have helped remove over 2.8 Million Pounds of trash and debris from Sacramento area waterways. Please join us for this great collaborative event with Caltrans!

     

    ****𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 – 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 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 8:3𝟎 𝐚.𝐦.

     

    We have hosted more than 90 cleanups of Arcade Creek at this project site, where over 800,000 lbs of trash and encampment debris have already been removed since February 2024. We will continue removing the piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek in this area. This event will also be conducted in coordination with Forensiclean who has graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected during this event!

     

    This will be a 14-and-over event. All minors must be accompanied by an adult during the entire event.

15
  • Copper Creek Cleanup (6.0)

    Copper Creek Cleanup (6.0)

    08:30 -11:30
    2025.06.15

    Clean up location: 6306 Garfield Avenue

     

    We will be returning to Copper Creek for a post-rains Mop Up. After 4 huge cleanups during late 2024, winter flows scoured out loose sand, exposing another layer of trash and debris. This tributary flows, unabated, into Arcade Creek and was identified as a major source of downstream pollution last year.

     

    We plan to clean start on the north side of Greenback Lane, then move downstream south of Greenback. The area contains oak groves and grassy areas, with loose trash bulk times in the creek, and upper floodplain. Boots are recommended, but waders will not be necessary.

     

    Please park in the Quiznos parking lot on the southeast corner of Greenback Lane & Garfield Avenue. We will gather our items and cross the street at the light.

     

    This will be a 14-and-Over event. All minors must be accompanied by an adult during the entire event.

     

    IMPORTANT EVENT INFO

    Participation in any event hosted by River City Waterway Alliance (RCWA) is at your own risk and requires that you agree to hold harmless any organizer, person, and/or partner entities involved.  All RCWA volunteers will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to participating.

     

    SAFETY FIRST!  We strongly recommend that volunteers come prepared with good quality gloves, plus sturdy closed-toed shoes.  Event cleanup sites may have potential hazards, such as poison oak; uneven, wet, muddy or slippery terrain; insects; and/or hazardous materials.  As such, long-sleeves, long pants and a sun-protective hat are advised, as well as making sure you are updated on your tetanus shot.  A safety talk will be given prior to the start of all events.

     

    Events hosted by RCWA have a range of difficulty levels based on the terrain, type of debris and tasks needed.  There is something for all physical abilities, and all volunteer contributions are welcome and appreciated. Please only do what is best for YOU and your physical abilities and interest level.  Unless otherwise specified, events are suitable only for older teens (14+) and adults.  All minors must be supervised by a responsible adult for the duration of the event.

     

    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, and gloves, as well as your own water and snacks – a limited number of loaner buckets, grabbers or gloves may be available. Please, no dogs.  We also encourage you to stretch, hydrate, apply sunscreen, and make sure you are properly fueled prior to the event.

     

    Finally, THANK YOU for volunteering to clean up our city’s waterways.

16
17
18
  • Cover, Smash, Trap: Nonchemical Methods for Pest Management

    Cover, Smash, Trap: Nonchemical Methods for Pest Management

    12:00 -13:00
    2025.06.18

    Want to learn how to manage pests without pesticides? In this webinar we will review nonchemical pest management practices as alternatives to pesticides in the home and garden.  Register here

19
20
21
  • Franklin Creek/Whitelock Parkway Clean Up

    Franklin Creek/Whitelock Parkway Clean Up

    09:00 -10:45
    2025.06.21

    Clean up location: 10064 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove

    Franklin Creek and Whitelock Parkway along with the trail will be our focus for the third Saturday in June. Look for our cones at the parking lot where the new Safeway is located for meeting up before we head out. We encourage teams to spread out and cover various parts of this area. From the roadway to the creek, to the trail, it’s all available.

     

    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.

  • Master Gardeners – Open Garden

    Master Gardeners – Open Garden

    09:00 -12:00
    2025.06.21

    Fair Oaks Horticulture Center (map and directions)
    11549 Fair Oaks Boulevard
    Fair Oaks, CA 95628

    June in Sacramento is perfect gardening weather. So much is in bloom that the specific mix changes daily—come see what the local UC Master Gardeners are up to in the demonstration garden.

    All garden sections from vegetables to berries to fruit trees grapple with the same pest problems, watering issues and new variety opportunities that you do. Master Gardeners in each section can discuss current activities, challenges and discoveries.

    Have a specific garden question that is vexing you? Feel free to bring bagged samples of plants or pests to the Ask a Master Gardener table.

    The event is free and will take place rain or shine.

    No pets, please!

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
July
July
July
July
July

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