Friends of the Lower Colorado River Seeks Volunteers for March Cleanup Event

Friends of the Lower Colorado River is calling for volunteers to take part in Colorado River Clean-Up Day this weekend in Yuma. David Sanchez, a member of the group, appeared on KAWC's "What's Up Yuma?" radio show Monday to spread the word and personally invite Yumans to join the effort.

Volunteers gather at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex from 7 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. for coffee and donuts, then caravan at 8 a.m. to the Gila River Confluence, where cleanup begins at 8:15 a.m. The Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex is located at 1700 E. 8th St., at the corner of Pacific Avenue and 8th Street.

The Gila River Confluence has drawn attention from community members concerned about growing debris along its banks. A Facebook post from organizer Wendy Steward in early March flagged a specific trouble spot: "another area on the backside of the Gila River Confluence (sh!t creek) that large items were recently dumped." Steward put out a call for "a solid 20 strong volunteers" to tackle the site.

Friends of the Lower Colorado River is a newly formed community group, founded just two months ago by people who wanted to combat the growing issue of litter along the riverbanks. The organization works alongside the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Land Management, with a focus on making the river a cleaner and safer space for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Logistics for Saturday are straightforward. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty, closed-toed shoes, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection. Bring water or a sports drink, though water will be provided on site. A dumpster for collected trash is sponsored by the Fort Yuma Rotary Club.

The Saturday event is the group's first cleanup of 2026. The Water Education Foundation has also noted that Friends of the Lower Colorado River has a cleanup scheduled for Sunday, April 13, at 9:30 a.m. at the Gila River Confluence, suggesting additional opportunities for those who cannot make this weekend's outing.

For more information and updates, find Friends of the Lower Colorado River on Facebook.