Why Volunteer!
Volunteering at a cleanup event helps to keep these natural parts of our county beautiful for everyone to enjoy. These events also give volunteers an opportunity to meet new people, to get outside, and to volunteer in a stress-relieving, natural setting.
Our cleanup days are also a great way to fulfill your community service requirements. Individuals, clubs, and classes are welcome and encouraged to come out and participate in our cleanup events.
Are you up for the Challenge?
Here are the steps to get you started!
1. Look for a Creek
2. Lend a Hand
3. Clean Your Creek
1. Check out our Upcoming Cleanup Events page (up top).
2. Select a site. For each cleanup event, you will find a list of sites including locations, Site Coordinators (who will lead the cleanup), meeting and parking locations, site considerations/conditions, and the number of volunteers needed.
3. Follow the signup instructions for your site, as posted on the site list. Not all sites require advanced signups.
4. Print and sign a Waiver of Liability (English) (Spanish) and turn it in to your Site Coordinator at the beginning of the event. If you cannot print the form, your site-coordinator will have one for you to sign when you arrive to the site. Anyone under 18 years of age is required to have parent/guardian consent. Minors who are dropped off at a cleanup site without a signed waiver will not be allowed to participate.
1. Long Pants
2. Sturdy Shoes
3. Work Gloves
4. Sunscreen
5. Hat and Sunglasses
6. Dust Mask (if sensitive to dust)
7. Signed Waiver of Liability (English) (Spanish) – Minors who are dropped off at a cleanup site without a signed waiver will not be allowed to participate.
Trash Bags
Extra Gloves
First Aid Supplies
Upon arrival at a cleanup event, your Site Coordinator will provide you with all safety guidlines. You are required to follow these guidelines. Here are some common do’s and don’ts – your Site Coordinator may provide you with more:
>Don’ts
– Don’t go in the water!
– Don’t pick up any dangerous or hazardous materials – including needles, syringes, bloody clothing and bandages. Notify your Site Coordinator immediately if you find any of these objects.
– Don’t pick up heavy and/or awkward objects such as tires or large pieces of scrap metal, unless approved by the Site Coordinator.
– Don’t pick up dead animals – Don’t stomp on bags.
– Don’t overexert yourselves! Take breaks and drink plenty of water.
>Do’s
– Do use caution around creek banks – they can be muddy and slippery.
– Do stay clear of homeless encampments.
– Do wear gloves at all times.
– Do stay in a group or work with a buddy.
– Do be cautious of poison oak!
– Do lift with your legs, not your back.
– Do handle sharp objects (broken glass) with care – children should NOT pick up broken glass.
For most cleanup events, we hold a “Most Unusual Item” Contest, and includes prizes donated by local businesses. Your Site Coordinator will have information on the contest and prizes.
Interested in becoming a Site-Coordinator?
As a site-coordinator, for either National River Cleanup Day (May) or Coastal Cleanup Day (September), you will be responsible for volunteer recruitment (we will help with that), volunteer sign-in, review of safety tips, set-up and data reporting at your site on the cleanup day (CCAG will train you). The CCAG will also provide you with cleanup supplies for participating volunteers and will also provide a web site (www.cleanacreek.org), publicity materials to assist in providing information and recruitment and registration of volunteers for your site.
If you have any questions please email us at volunteer@valleywater.org.