About Us

The Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership (SSQP) is a multi-jurisdictional
program made up of Sacramento County and the incorporated cities of Sacramento,
Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, and Rancho Cordova, educating and
encouraging the community to protect local waterways from the impacts of urban
run-off, which flows untreated from storm drains to creeks, streams and rivers.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is rain that flows over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. In urban areas less rain is able to infiltrate into the ground, thus creating urban runoff and picking up pollutants along the way. Stormwater carries pollutants such as trash, pet waste, and garden chemicals into nearby storm drains, which eventually flows into waterways untreated. This harms the quality of our waterways.

Learn more

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.

Get Involved

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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Events Calendar

< 2024 >
April
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  • ARPF – Native Plant Garden Day
    09:30 -12:00
    04/03/2024

    Join us on April 3rd for a groovy garden workday! We’ll be:
    * Laying down a fresh layer of mulch.
    * Yankin’ those pesky weeds and giving the good plants room to shine 
    It’ll be a fantastic way to spend a day, get some exercise, and help beautify the garden for everyone to enjoy!
    All ages welcome! Head over to our website to sign up and be a part of the garden crew!
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  • RCWA – Ali’s Friday Arcade Crk Cleanup
    09:00 -12:00
    04/05/2024

    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.
    We will continue to partner with Arcade Creek – Adopt A Creek Project to focus on another infamously trashed stretch of this 16.2 mile creek. We will meet at the same apartment complex, but will change directions and work downstream towards Keoncrest Circle where we performed numerous cleanups last year.
    This time we will switch gears and park in the SOUTHERN most parking lot in the Hidden Oaks Apartment Complex, gear up, and walk to Arcade Creek. Please arrive on time as the complex is fairly expansive and the route to our meeting spot could be confusing.
    Please bring water and only do what you are comfortable doing. As always, you can leave whenever you want or need.
    This cleanup will have 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 pickin’.
    The event will range in difficulty from moderate to hard and may not be suitable for children under the age of 16. There will be something for almost everyone as we will be cleaning in the creek and up above, on land.
    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. There will be water in the creek, fairly deep in a few spots. Participants will be required to wear rain boots or waders if they intend to get into the water. The water is quite chilly this time of year. 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
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  • RCWA – Arcade Creek “Early Earth Day” Cleanup at SHA
    09:00 -12:00
    04/06/2024

    [Meeting Spot is Sacramento Horsemen’s Association, 3200 Longview Dr, Sacramento, CA 9582]
    In early observance of this year’s Earth Day activities, RCWA is partnering with the City of Sacramento, Arcade Creek Adopt-A-Creek Project and the Sacramento Horsemen’s Association to clean Arcade Creek through Del Paso Regional Park. This promises to be another fantastic event you will not want to miss!
    This area is full of natural filters that have stopped a substantial amount of trash from being swept downstream and into the Delta and beyond. But that leaves a lot of cleanup work to rid this beautiful parkway of the resulting debris fields of trash.
    This event will range in difficulty from easy to difficult, with some pretty easy pickins’ around the flat grassy parkway.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your sturdy footwear, grabbers, buckets and gloves – a limited number of loaner buckets and grabbers may be available. Recommended (but not required): rain boots or waders – there will be water in the creek.
    As with all events shared by 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 always says!
    Thank you!
    Arcade Creek Adopt-A-Creek Project
    https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeCreekAACP
  • Elk Grove Anti-Trash – Amundson Park Plus Creek Area
    09:00 -10:45
    04/06/2024

    Join EGAT for another park perimeter cleanup now that a lot of the shrubs got trimmed.
    We will also head north to the channel and hopefully west along Strawberry Creek.
    Something for everyone 
    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!
  • ARPF – Discovering Invasive Plants
    10:00
    04/06/2024
    Join us as Spring kicks off! Learn how non-native plants like Yellow Star Thistles affect the American River Parkway.
    Test your knowledge with the Web of Life game and discover how we can all be parkway protectors!
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  • RCWA – Arcade Crk Cleanup at Norwood (9.0)
    09:00 -12:00
    04/07/2024

    Our apologies, but this will be an 18 and Over Event due to numerous active encampments in the area.
    We will continue to remove piles of trash in this stretch of Arcade Creek. This event will be conducted in coordination with the folks at Forensiclean who have graciously agreed to haul off all of the trash and encampment debris collected from this area!
    Sturdy, waterproof boots, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. Folks desiring to enter the creek will need hip or chest waders. This will be an easy to difficult level event with uneven terrain.
    RCWA will provide bags, but please bring along your grabbers, buckets, 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
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  • ARPF- Spring Cleanup
    09:00 -12:00
    04/13/2024

    American River Parkway Foundation: Whether you’re an individual, group, family, corporation, or high school student, we welcome you to come together and make a difference. Let’s keep our Parkway clean and beautiful!

     

    * Spring Clean-Up is weather and water level dependent and will only be held if conditions are safe for volunteers. If the event is canceled, those who have registered will be notified at least 24 hours in advance.

     

    Are you interested in becoming a Site Captain? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to lead locations by picking necessary supplies beforehand, making sure everything runs smoothly on the day of the event, and returning waivers and event numbers to our ARPF staff afterward. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy doing, we’d love to have you on board as a Site Captain!   

    Please email us at: volunteer@arpf.org or call us at (916) 486-2273

     

    Do you have more than 20 members in your group?

    Please email us at volunteer@arpf.org or call us at (916) 486-2273

     

    Registers to volunteer by clicking on your desired volunteer location:

    *Age Restrictions 

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  • Elk Grove Anti-Trash – Camden Lakes, Floodplains & More!
    09:00 -12:00
    04/20/2024

    By water   and shore, let’s get the trash out of Camden Lakes, the nearby floodplains, Laguna Creek and part of Whitehouse Creek!
    We need kayak folks who will receive permission to pluck trash from the lakes, and we will need shore teams to help them hoist trash out of their boats.
    We will also have separate crews for cleaning the open spaces at Underwood Park and other sites nearby.
    We will need leaders to help with Whitehouse Creek cleanup as well.
    This cleanup involves easy to moderate levels, with some necessity for mud boots should anybody be in or near shorelines, or in Whitehouse Creek.
    Check in early at Camden Lake Way adjacent to the lake, nearest address across from our staging area is 9139 Camden Lake Way.
    This event may run past the 2 hour timeframe because sometimes we don’t want to stop 😊
    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!
  • Elk Grove Anti-Trash – Camden Lakes, Floodplains and More
    09:22 -12:00
    04/20/2024

    By water   and shore, let’s get the trash out of Camden Lakes, the nearby floodplains, Laguna Creek and part of Whitehouse Creek!
    We need kayak folks who will receive permission to pluck trash from the lakes, and we will need shore teams to help them hoist trash out of their boats.
    We will also have separate crews for cleaning the open spaces at Underwood Park and other sites nearby.
    We will need leaders to help with Whitehouse Creek cleanup as well.
    This cleanup involves easy to moderate levels, with some necessity for mud boots should anybody be in or near shorelines, or in Whitehouse Creek.
    Check in early at Camden Lake Way adjacent to the lake, nearest address across from our staging area is 9139 Camden Lake Way.
    This event may run past the 2 hour timeframe because sometimes we don’t want to stop 😊
    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!
  • ARPF – Earth Day Clean-Up
    10:00
    04/20/2024

    Join us for a collaborative Clean-Up Extravaganza with the River District on Saturday, April 20th, in honor of Earth Day!
    Here’s the plan:
    Arrive by 9:50am to sign in and get prepped with all the cleaning tools.
    We’ll convene for a quick safety briefing, and then at 10:10am sharp, it’s trash-busting time! ️
    Together, we’ll Pick up litter and debris from the Parkway
    Why Join?
    Be a Force for Good: Give back to your community and celebrate Earth Day by making a positive impact. 
    Fresh Air & Fun: Enjoy the outdoors with fellow eco-warriors who share your passion for our planet. ☀️
    Perfect for All Ages: This is a mission for everyone! Bring your family and friends to make a difference together. ‍‍‍
    Sign up now on our website and join the Clean-Up Extravaganza!
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  • Elk Grove Anti-Trash – Elk Grove Creek Laguna Springs to N. Longleaf Basin
    10:00 -12:00
    04/21/2024

    A very special Earth Day event with our friends from Starbucks.
    Join us as we tackle Elk Grove Creek, Trail, and basins from east of Laguna Springs all the way to the basin next to Leatherby‘s.
    We are grateful for our friends at the Starbucks in the target shopping center. Evona, the store manager, has rallied many of the area managers to join this cleanup. It will require boots, patience and perseverance since we will be working in grass, mud, and maybe water.
    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!
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May
May
May
May
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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