AHRA, GARNA Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day with Annual Arkansas River Clean Up Green Up

The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) and the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) are hosting the 33rdAnnual Clean Up Green Up in conjunction with Colorado Public Lands Day on Saturday May 18.

Volunteers can preselect online or register in person day-of for a location in the Arkansas River drainage between Granite and Parkdale to clean trash and debris to prepare for a busy summer season. The cleanup coincides with the start of spring snowmelt and runoff.

Volunteers are encouraged to pre sign up for a location at http://ahra.mobi/CUGU.

There will be two volunteer registration/check-in stations from 8:30-9:30am on Saturday at Riverside Park in Salida and at the Buena Vista Community Center to get supplies and a lunch voucher for the post-clean up volunteer picnic. The first 100 volunteers registered will also receive a T-shirt. For those pre-registered with a location, check-in is not necessary unless you are planning to join the picnic or need supplies or to get the T-shirt. (Shirts can also be picked up at lunch.)

Trash drop off is from 10am-1pm at the F-Street parking lot in Salida an the Buena Vista Community Center, or behind the entrance sign at any AHRA-managed site throughout the day. Trash dumpsters are provided by Apex Waste Solutions (formerly Chaffee County Waste) and American Rivers is providing the trash bags for volunteers. The volunteer picnic will be held from Noon to 1pm at both Riverside Park in Salida and Buena Vista Community Center.

Clean Up Green Up is in partnership with AHRA, GARNA, City of Salida, Town of Buena Vista, Salida-area Parks Openspace & Trails (SPOT), Trout Unlimited, American Rivers and Apex Waste Solutions.

In conjunction with Clean Up Green Up, AHRA will be hosting the 2^nd Annual Gear Up for Summer event, bringing the community together to gear up for a safe and fun summer, at Riverside Park. From 10am to 1pm local non-profits and land agencies will be set up with family-friendly activities and information on summer programs. Plus, the first 50 youth will receive a free PFD.