FoLAR’S 34th ANNUAL GREAT LA RIVER CLEANUP RETURNS
ON OCTOBER 5th
 
Four Sites, One Day - FoLAR Invites Everyone to Join
Across the 51-Mile Span

 

LOS ANGELES (September 12, 2024) Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) is proud to host its 34th Annual Great LA River CleanUp, inviting everyone to the largest urban river cleanup in the U.S. Being held for the first time in recent years at the conclusion of the River's summer recreation season, the event celebrates the region’s 51-mile winding connective center.
 
The Saturday event will feature four site opportunities with locations on the Upper, Middle and Lower River. Registration is now open for all ages at each site.
 

Courtesy of FoLAR.

“The Great LA River Cleanup is one of our favorite events at FoLAR. It’s a day where we get our hands dirty, make a real difference for the River, and have a blast while doing it,” states FoLAR CEO Candice Dickens-Russell. “But it’s more than just cleaning up, it’s about coming together to make the River a place that everyone in LA can connect with and feel proud of. We're deeply committed to our vision of the River as an equitably accessible green space for all Angelenos that will help our city, and some of its most vulnerable communities, adapt to climate change— the Great LA River CleanUp is another step on the path to making that vision a reality.”
 
With shifts starting at 8:00am and 10:30am, the CleanUp 2024 will take place at the following handpicked sites along the 51-mile River that connects members of LA’s many diverse communities:
 
Bull Creek (Upper River) - The Sepulveda Basin, home to a beautiful wildlife reserve and a recreation area, is the River’s first natural bottom section. It is a birdwatcher’s delight.
North Atwater Park (Middle River) - The park offers scenic views of the River and is a haven for local wildlife, with native plants, open meadows, and shaded picnic areas.
Compton Creek (Lower River)  - A major tributary of the LA River, in fact the last major tributary before the River ends her 51-mile journey at the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach. Today, most of the 8.5-mile creek is channelized, except the lower 3 miles of earthen bottom, where you’re likely to see a variety of birds.
Willow St. Bridge (Lower River) - Just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, freshwater mixes with saltwater here, supporting a unique ecological habitat and a wide variety of shorebirds.
 
In line with FoLAR’s mission to build capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature, climate, and equity on the LA River, the annual event will offer additional educational activities with local environmental groups including Water Replenishment District and Takataka Club who will be exhibiting at Willow St. Bridge and North Atwater Park, respectively.
 
FoLAR’s annual CleanUp is a popular annual event for Angelenos of all ages and backgrounds, attracting families, students, community members, and elected officials to the River. From the group of 10 people who brought the first CleanUp to life in 1989, today it draws thousands of volunteers and a vast range of volunteer groups including scout troops, entertainment companies, Indigenous groups, religious organizations, labor unions, and a bevy of nonprofits—reflecting the growing interest in and passion for the LA River among Angelenos of all backgrounds. It is also, for many, a place to learn about and take a hands-on approach to addressing climate change.
 
The 2024 CleanUp is made possible through major supporters M2O, Niagara Cares, Bank of America, City of Long Beach, REI Co-op, Stantec, Southern California Gas Co., Water Replenishment District, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, LA City Council District 4, LA Sanitation, Lamar Advertising Company, Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council, Port of Long Beach, Direct Pack, Inc., California Trout, Paramount Pictures, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, Burns & McDonnell, and Eagle Rock Yacht Club. For more information, please contact [email protected].
 
To register for the CleanUp and get more information, please visit https://folar.org/cleanup.

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Friends of the Los Angeles River (FOLAR):
Friends of the Los Angeles River is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to build capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature, climate, and equity on the Los Angeles River. FoLAR is a leading force in educating youth, guiding policy, and connecting communities to the River. (folar.org)