The Bitterroot Water Partnership invites you to help clean up the Bitterroot River on Saturday, August 10 in their annual Bitterroot River Clean Up. Volunteers sign up online for a walking site or floating stretch along the Bitterroot from Sula and Painted Rocks to Missoula and clean up on their own timeline. Visit bitterrootwater.org/cleanup to sign up for your section or learn more.
Volunteers and other River-enthusiasts are invited to celebrate Clean Up impacts from 5 to 8 p.m. on August 10 at the Rooftop of Naps Bar & Grill at 200 W Main St, Hamilton. Volunteers will receive their first celebratory beverage free.
“The Bitterroot River Clean Up is one of those few special events that connects all of our communities across the length of our Valley,” says Alex Ocañas, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Water Partnership. “Some volunteers proudly participate each year while for others, it may be their first act of stewardship as a new resident. The Water Partnership is especially proud to host the event because it’s a very physical representation of one of our guiding beliefs – that our waters can bring us together. We see all sorts of ages, backgrounds, and beliefs participating together in this big day of stewardship.”
Volunteers can clean up on their own schedule. A trash drop off location will be available to volunteers all day at River Park in Hamilton on Saturday, the 10th. Large trash collected from the River (i.e. fridges, recliners, bathtubs, etc., or full truck loads) must be dropped off at River Park in Hamilton, where a large dumpster will be available, and volunteers present to help unload. Any trash that is not cleaned from the River will not be permitted in the dumpster. Smaller loads of trash can be dumped here too so their weight can be included in the grand total of litter cleaned. Dumpsters and collection service have been donated by Bitterroot Disposal.
“While a record-breaking heatwave and drought conditions have forced the Bitterroot into unfortunately low flow conditions, the extent of exposed streamside creates an opportunity to clean trash that may otherwise be covered by water,” said Ocañas.
Volunteers pull around 1-2,000 pounds of trash from the River each year during the Clean Up. Each year, one volunteer will be recognized with a prize for the “Best Trash” found during the Clean Up. Past winners found a bathtub, a recliner, a wagon wheel, and a car dashboard. You can sign up to volunteer by visiting the Water Partnership webpage at bitterrootwater.org/cleanup, calling the office at 406-375-2272, or stopping in at 162 S 2nd St in Hamilton. All participants are encouraged to visit the Clean Up webpage to read event guidelines.
Schedule of Events
• Saturday, August 10
• Bitterroot River Clean-Up: All Day (volunteers choose when to clean-up)
• Trash Drop-Off: 8 AM-8 PM
• Clean Up Celebration: 5-8 PM at the Rooftop at Naps Bar and Grill