SYRCL’s Annual Yuba River Cleanup: Protecting People and the Watershed 

Each year, SYRCL’s Annual Yuba River Cleanup mobilizes hundreds of dedicated volunteers across the Yuba watershed to remove trash from riverbanks, trails, and recreation areas. While litter may seem like a cosmetic issue, the reality is far more serious. Plastic waste, cigarette butts, broken glass, and tire fragments don’t just pollute the landscape — they pose real threats to wildlife, water quality, and public safety. Emerging research has made it clear: the longer trash stays in our watershed, the more toxic it becomes. 

Why Removing Trash Matters: Environmental Health 

• Microplastics — Larger plastic items like bottles, wrappers, and foam containers break down over time into tiny plastic particles called microplastics. These particles are now widely found in rivers, soils, wildlife, and humans. Fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects often ingest microplastics, which can interfere with digestion, reproduction, and growth. Once in the food web, microplastics can move through entire ecosystems, carrying other pollutants with them and threatening biodiversity. Studies have discovered microplastics across different human tissues and organs, including the blood, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, placenta, testes, and breast milk. 
• 6PPD‑quinone (6PPD‑q) — 6PPD‑q is a highly toxic chemical that forms when 6PPD, a common rubber preservative used in vehicle tires, reacts with ozone. This compound has been shown to be acutely lethal to coho salmon and other salmonid species at very low concentrations — less than one microgram per liter. It’s now considered one of the most toxic pollutants to aquatic life found in urban runoff. Tire fragments left on roads, trails, and near waterways contribute directly to this growing threat. 

By removing common debris like plastic packaging, cigarette butts, and discarded tires, volunteers help prevent these materials from breaking down and leaching harmful chemicals into the South Yuba River system. 

Safety Perspective: Protecting Humans and Wildlife 

Trash in natural areas doesn’t just harm the environment — it puts people and animals at risk. 

• Sharp objects like broken glass and rusted metal can injure swimmers, boaters, pets, and wildlife. 
• Fishing line and plastic ties can entangle animals, causing injury or death. 
• Cigarette butts, the most commonly littered item on Earth, are toxic to aquatic organisms even in small quantities and can poison small animals that mistake them for food. 

Our river’s health is directly tied to our community’s safety and wellbeing. The Yuba River is not only a source of inspiration and recreation — it’s home to threatened species, as well as drinking water and the source for agricultural irrigation. 

How SYRCL’s Cleanup Supports Watershed Health 

Participating in SYRCL’s Annual Yuba River Cleanup is one of the most immediate and effective ways to protect the South Yuba River. Here’s how your efforts make a difference: 

1. Reduces the spread of microplastics by removing plastic debris before it breaks down into particles that contaminate soil and water. 

2. Limits chemical exposure by intercepting tire fragments and rubber waste that can leach 6PPD‑q and other harmful substances. 

3. Protects local wildlife by removing entanglement hazards and toxic litter from sensitive habitats. 

4. Creates safer spaces for recreation, ensuring that river access remains welcoming and hazard-free for families, swimmers, boaters, and pets. 

How You Can Help: Join the Annual Yuba River Cleanup 

SYRCL’s Annual Yuba River Cleanup is your opportunity to take action for a cleaner, healthier Yuba River while joining a movement of committed river stewards. 

Event Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
Cleanup Sites: Dozens of locations throughout the Yuba River watershed — from forested trails to popular swim spots. 

By volunteering, you are: 

• Preventing long-term pollution by removing harmful materials before they degrade. 
• Protecting native fish from microplastics and toxic chemicals like 6PPD‑q. 
• Making the river safer for all who enjoy it — from wildlife to weekend swimmers. 
• Demonstrating that our community cares about clean water, public lands, and a resilient watershed. 

Join us for this powerful day of action and celebration. Together, we can make a visible and lasting impact on the health of the Yuba River. 

And if you can’t come out and join us on that day, but still want to support our efforts, you can always donate to SYRCL and help us pay for supplies, organizational operations, and volunteer recognition.