This Month! FOLAR Brings Back America's Largest Urban River Cleanup

Friends of the LA River (FOLAR) welcomes everyone to the 28th Annual Great LA River CleanUp: La Gran Limpieza (CleanUp). Because of the love for the river, FOLAR’s CleanUp has exploded in recent years, shattering records for volunteer turnout and trash collected, and is the largest urban river cleanup in America.

Angelenos of all ages and backgrounds are welcome at the CleanUp. The range of volunteer groups, along with 1000s of individuals, demonstrates the ubiquitous interest in and passion for the LA River. The CleanUp brings together volunteer groups ranging from scout troops, utilities, and entertainment, to religious organizations, labor unions, and a bevy of non-profits. (For groups of 10 or more, group registration is available at www.folar.org/cleanup/groups.)

All Angelenos can register for the CleanUp and get more information at www.folar.org/cleanup.

“The Great LA River CleanUp is the defining event on the LA River. It’s become the largest urban river cleanup in America; last year had 9,000 volunteers who picked up 70 tons of trash,” states Marissa Christiansen, FOLAR’s Executive Director. “When Angelenos get involved with their River, they often start at our CleanUp.”

There are 14 different, handpicked sites along the 51-mile river cleanup to choose from. The sites range from the bucolic Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley to the Golden Shore Marine Reserve in Long Beach, where dolphins and seals are a common sight. “Each area of the Los Angeles River is unique and requires special attention and appreciation,” says Lewis MacAdams, FOLAR’s Founder. The CleanUp focuses primarily on the soft-bottomed and green sections of the LA River which are, in themselves, incredibly diverse.

The CleanUp will take place the next three Saturdays of April, each day from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm:

April 15 - Upper River: Bette Davis Picnic Area / Sepulveda Basin at Balboa Blvd / Tujunga Wash at Haines Canyon Channel

April 22 - Mid River: Arroyo Seco Confluence / Bowtie Parcel at Fletcher Drive / The Frog Spot / Los Feliz Blvd / Marsh Street Nature Park / Steelhead Park / Sunnynook Footbridge

April 29 - Lower River: Compton Creek at Artesia Metro Station / Compton Creek at Del Amo Metro Station/ Golden Shore Marine Reserve / Willow Street Estuary

In addition to the trash pick-up, there will be entertainment provided by popular local bands that come to the CleanUp to connect with the LA River community. Select sites will also feature FOLAR’s 38’ mobile visitor and education center – the LA River Rover.

Volunteers will receive a FOLAR reusable tote bag, a custom-designed FOLAR t-shirt, and a gift card from Rubio’s Coastal Grill. Refreshments, snacks, and sunblock will all be on hand to keep CleanUp volunteers healthy and hydrated.

“When you see so many people on the River working together in their FOLAR shirts it warms your heart,” adds Christansen. “I am so inspired when I think about countless members of the River community pouring their love into our River over the last 28 years.”

Founded in 1986, FOLAR is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to ensure a publicly accessible and ecologically sustainable Los Angeles River by inspiring River stewardship through community engagement, education, advocacy, and thought leadership.