The Río Limpio (Clean River) Project was created through outreach and education to provide a unified effort to keep the Tule River beautiful, clean, safe and open for all to enjoy. Volunteers clear garbage and remove graffiti from the river while reaching out to river users to teach the importance of good stewardship practices.

Here is what the Río Limpio project did in the summer of 2008!

Mobilized over 350 volunteers and removed 6,000 lbs of trash. We conducted 4 large scale clean-up events along the Tule River (May 27th, July 4th, August 23, and Sept 27th), and 4 service learning clean- up events with youth organizations.
Formed the Tule River Partnership to increase visibility and community involvement in Tule River Site Improvement Project.
Through the cooperative efforts of WildPlaces, CSET, and the Tulare County Waste Management Association, sponsored 3 recycling and hazardous/electronic waste pick-up days at Camp Nelson.
Conducted an outdoor River Faire & BBQ for clean-up participants and the public. Topics covered through booth displays and other presentations included: 1). Watershed model demonstrations (“we all live downstream”), 2). Fly-fishing basics and fly-tying, 3) Why Recycle Poster Display (“Why Recycle?, How long does your trash last”), 4). Use less water: Planting drought tolerant natives (Cal Natives Nursery), 5). Tule River Art (Trout t-shirts and river mosaics), and 6). Lake and river recreation safety.
Designed and installed 3 trash bag dispensers on the river at popular use locations.
Conducted 5 education outreach days separate from clean-up events on the Tule River. A team of bilingual volunteers contacted day use visitors at the river to gain their support to keep the river clean, find out where they were from, and what suggestions they might have on how to keep the river clean. Distributed 450 trash bags coupled with an accompanying fact sheet about the Tule River clean-ups. Fact sheets were in English and Spanish.
Conducted 24 presentations to local schools and clubs regarding how watersheds work, what their local river and watershed is, and how each is connected to our local communities.
Distributed 1,000 Tule River Fact books about the Tule River watershed to the public and local schools.
Conducted three Immersed in the Wild youth camping trips where part of the learning curriculum addressed what a watershed is, and why we need clean water. Immersed in the Wild participants also participated in small group clean-ups on the river.
Conducted four television interviews on Arriba Valle Central with Univision television the largest national Spanish Network channel. Interview was conducted in Spanish to reach the Hispanic community about Tule River clean-up events and the problems on the river.
Created a YouTube Video page to share video footage of the Tule River and the work volunteers are doing on it for the purpose of recruiting new volunteers, funders and partners. www.youtube.com/user/WildPlaces93265

Project – May 31, 2008

What?

On May 31st over 80 volunteers flocked to the Tule River between Ponderosa and Porterville to remove garbage from the watershed. River enthusiasts came to one of 5 locations to participate: Porterville at the Tule River Parkway, Lake Success, Giant Sequoia National Monument above Springville, Camp Nelson for hazardous and electronic waste recycling and Quaker Meadow at the top of the Tule Watershed. Spruce up Springville volunteers also cleaned up Springville on the same day. Following the Clean-up volunteers were treated to a free BBQ and River Fair at the Success Lake day use area.

Why?

Who?

Over 80 volunteers joined Río Limpio in May. Participants on the day of the cleanup included: WildPlaces, U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, California Conservation Corps, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Porterville Art Association, Tule River Parkway Association, Spruce up Springville, river users and local residents.

Project – July 5, 2008

What?

On July 5th, 2008 WildPlaces joined several organizations and volunteers for the second in a series of Rio Limpio Tule River clean-ups. Over thirty volunteers and volunteer leaders attended this event and collected close to fifty bags of trash!

Why?

Accumulation of garbage is affecting water quality and each person’s river experience. Volunteers removed 100s of bags of garbage in 2007. Graffiti and gang activity at popular swimming areas detract from the river’s scenic beauty and decrease our right to have a safe and fun experience. Fire danger from mismanaged or illegal cooking fires places river users, mountain communities and local electricity providers (SCE and PG&E) at risk. Traffic congestion, limited parking, and gang activity lead to access and law enforcement issues. Sanitary conditions along the river are affected by improper land use ethics and practices. Local economy – Collectively these impacts negatively affect our local businesses, community and economy.

Who?

The July 5th clean-up brought together several organizations, partners and friends of WildPlaces to give a hand. Several Porterville, Visalia and Springville residents joined us as well as youth and adult leaders from the Tulare Boxing Club, and a gang prevention project out of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, Project 180. We were also fortunate enough to visit with many of the river users talking with them about the importance of keeping the river trash free, handing out free trash bags and information about Rio Limpio’s upcoming Tule River Clean-Up events.

Where?

This months Rio Limpio event took volunteers to several popular recreation areas along the lower Tule River including: The Stairs, Peace Hole, The Falls and The Wishon Slides.

Project – August 23, 2008

What?

On August 23rd over 40 volunteers flocked to several recreational sites along the Tule River to remove garbage. Volunteers and WildPlaces employees worked hard all morning collecting about fifty bags of trash before heading to Upper Coffee Camp for a BBQ and some socializing. This clean-up illustrated to all those who participated that our efforts are working as there was definitely less trash this time around!

Why?

Who?

This third of four Rio Limpio was one of the most successful thanks in part to some returning volunteer groups who have been very important to the Rio Limpio project including the Tulare Athletic Boxing Club and Boy Scout troop 132. We were also fortunate to have some very dedicated volunteers from Porterville and Springville show up for their second or third Rio Limpio Clean-Up. We also had five very dedicated volunteers from Camp Nelson doing their own clean-up, meeting up and cleaning up at Coy Flat Bridge before moving on to Belknap. Thank you to all of those who participated!

Project – September 27, 2008

What?

On National Public Lands Day, September 27, over 50 volunteers flocked to several recreational sites along the Tule River to remove garbage. Volunteers and WildPlaces employees worked hard all morning collecting about forty bags of trash before heading to Upper Coffee Camp for a BBQ and some socializing. We also installed several garbage bag dispensers at popular recreation sites to encourage people to bring their garbage home with them. This clean-up illustrated to all those who participated that our efforts are working – we have found garbage each month this summer!

Why?

Who?

This forth and last Rio Limpio of the 2008 season was one of the most successful thanks in part to some returning volunteer groups who have been very important to the Rio Limpio project including the US Forest Service, CSET, the Tulare Athletic Boxing Club, Owens Valley Career Development Center, Granite Hills High School Snow Club and others. We were fortunate to have some very dedicated volunteers from Porterville and Springville show up for their second, third or forth Rio Limpio Clean-Up. We also had five very dedicated volunteers from Camp Nelson doing their own clean-up, meeting up and cleaning up at Coy Flat Bridge before moving on to the Belknap campground. Thank you to all of those who participated!