By City Manager Ken Striplin
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
As we transition into a new season, I am honored to share our community’s ongoing efforts to seek innovative ways to protect and beautify our environment. This year we will celebrate both National Arbor Day and Earth Day with our annual Neighborhood Cleanup event on Saturday, April 27.
The annual Neighborhood Cleanup provides an opportunity for our community to unite and make a positive impact by cleaning up right where we live, a much-anticipated tradition each year. During registration, volunteers will have the option to select one of three drive-through locations to visit, between the hours of 8:00 and 11:00 a.m., to collect bags and gloves for their cleanup efforts on the day of the event.
The act of community members coming together to pick up litter and clean their local environment demonstrates collective responsibility and care for the planet. This cleanup event not only results in immediate improvements in the aesthetics of our neighborhoods, but also fosters a sense of unity and pride among our residents. Engaging in community clean-ups can raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage sustainable practices, such as recycling and waste reduction. All of these factors help contribute to a cleaner and greener City for all residents to enjoy.
In light of Santa Clarita’s extraordinary dedication to environmental conservation, we are thrilled to announce our receipt of the Tree City USA award for an impressive 34 consecutive years. To commemorate Arbor Day and our beautiful trees, participants of the Neighborhood Cleanup will receive a free bag of mulch and a 1-gallon drought-resistant plant, while supplies last. Additionally, we will host a ceremonial tree planting at Valencia Heritage Park at 10:00 a.m.
Another exciting event on the horizon is the 20th Annual Bike to Work Challenge, happening from Monday, May 13, through Friday, May 17. I encourage all of our local businesses to motivate their employees to join this eco-friendly commute. Participants will have the opportunity to win fantastic raffle prizes, including gift cards and even a brand-new bike! Businesses with the highest participation percentage in their size category will win a free lunch for all who joined in on the fun. Join us at the pit stops on Thursday, May 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. for refreshments and camaraderie.
These events are just a glimpse of our ongoing efforts to maintain Santa Clarita’s picturesque environment. I encourage you to explore everything Green Santa Clarita has to offer by visiting GreenSantaClarita.com or following us on Facebook and now on Instagram @GreenSantaClarita. Interested in participating in the Bike to Work Challenge or the Neighborhood Cleanup community event? Find more information at GreenSantaClarita.com/Events. Together, let’s continue to make Santa Clarita a vibrant and sustainable community.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
