River & Roadside Clean-Ups
MARCH 2025. Thanks to a Mariposa County Americorps crew, over 400 pounds of trash was collected along 6 miles of Highway 140 in the Watershed Council’s ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY segment of the Merced River canyon.
Taking care of the Merced River and watershed is our mission!
Each year, the Watershed Council and local partners like the Bureau of Land Management, Sierra Nevada Alliance, Mariposa County and others to organize volunteer events focused on removing trash and restoring the health of watersheds throughout the Sierra Nevada region. On average, we collect over 2,000 pounds of trash and recyclable material from the Merced River each year!
River and roadside cleanups are slated during optimal seasons for volunteer safety. In the past, they have been coordinated in conjunction with regional and state volunteer events like The Great Sierra River Clean Up and California Coastal Cleanup Day (held in September each year), FaceLift Yosemite, or independently through our CalTrans Adopt-a-Highway program. To join a clean-up team, register as a volunteer or email us at mercedwatershed@gmail.com for clean-up day alerts and updated information.
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In collaboration with CalTrans, the Upper Merced River Watershed Council has adopted a 3-mile stretch of Highway 140 from Slate Creek Bridge to Miller Gulch. Watch this space and social media for upcoming opportunities to volunteer to clean up trash, pick up recyclables--and generally make our river a healthier, happier place.
How it works:
Groups are given safety instructions and must wear safety vests and hard hats. Depending on the number in our clean-up group, a typical clean-up session is about 2 hours to do our designated stretch.
Participants must be at least 16 years old. Since CalTrans considers 16 and 17 year-olds as minors, one adult supervisor must be present at the work site for every 5 minors participating (adult supervisor must be 21 years of age).
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Anyone ready to take on some garbage is welcome to join the clean-up team!
Safety is our top priority and we will prepare volunteers prior to clean up days, but always keep your own well-being in mind when considering volunteering. Here are somethings to consider:
Terrain in certain areas can be rocky or slippery, and is not accessible to everyone.
For Adopt-a-Highway clean-ups, young people must be at least 16 to participate, and those age 16-17 need to be accompanied by an adult.
We plan to clean during optimal seasons, but some areas are sunny and exposed.
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If you are interested in volunteering, email us at mercedwatershed@gmail.com.
We’ll send out alerts for scheduled clean-ups. Keep an eye on your inbox, or follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information. -
Participants and partners meet at a designated location (like the the Briceburg Visitors Center) to receive safety instructions, hard hats, work gloves, trash grabbers, and trash bags.
You are also encouraged to bring:
Plenty of water, and snacks or lunch
Good outdoor shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a hat for shade
