SYRCL & BriarPatch Team Up to Provide River-Friendly Sunscreen at the Yuba

BriarPatch Food Co-op has teamed up with the South Yuba River Citizens League’s (SYRCL) River Ambassadors to make river-friendly sunscreen available to Yuba river-goers each weekend through Labor Day.

Stopping Sunscreen Slicks

Beginning early this summer, River Ambassadors began fielding questions from river-goers about the slicks they were seeing on the river. While an oily film on the water can be the result of anything from gas to naturally occurring iron-oxidizing bacteria, the film being reported at busy river crossings was most likely sunscreen.

When SYRCL approached BriarPatch about the sunscreen problem, they enthusiastically agreed to donate two gallons of water-resistant “reef-safe” sunscreen, which is free of harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that have been found to be lethal to some freshwater organisms, to the River Ambassador program.

Starting this weekend, the River Ambassadors stationed at Highway 49 and Bridgeport crossings will have large pump bottles available for visitors to use as an alternative to more conventional sunscreens. Though it is called “reef-safe” since it was originally developed for use in oceans, these sunscreens are considered river-friendly as well.

“With the current drought conditions, we need to be extra diligent about protecting the river and its inhabitants from harmful chemicals like the ones found in most sunscreens,” said Melinda Booth, SYRCL’s Executive Director. “We are grateful that BriarPatch has stepped in to make an alternative available.”

Given that thousands more people will visit the Yuba this season, initiatives like this can make a big difference in the health of the Yuba.

“The Co-op is happy to support SYRCL in any way we can to do such important work to protect our environment, said BriarPatch Marketing Manager, Rebecca Torpie. “Our community really depends on this organization to keep our river clean. It’s more than a worthy investment.” In a commitment to reducing environmental impacts, BriarPatch carries only reef-friendly and reef safe sunscreen products.

BriarPatch also generously donated signage that explains the importance of waiting 15 minutes after applying sunscreen before getting into your favorite swimming hole. Doing so allows the sunscreen to absorb into your skin and do the work of protecting you from UV rays.

“Having the sunscreen available at the River Ambassador booths can be ideal for this,” said Betsy Brunner, SYRCL’s Communications and Engagement Director. “People can apply the sunscreen and by the time they make it to their destination, the sunscreen will have had some time to absorb so it does not dissolve into the water.”

Choosing reef-safe sunscreen is one way to help keep the river clean and healthy. SYRCL also recommends wearing clothing with a UPF rating as an alternative along with hats and sunglasses

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