By City Manager Ken Striplin
What can 1,200 volunteers accomplish in just three hours? More than you might think. Every year, the River Rally transforms a single Saturday morning into one of Santa Clarita’s most impactful community traditions. Neighbors, families, students, scout troops, businesses and community organizations roll up their sleeves with one shared goal: protecting one of our community’s most valuable natural resources for future generations.
On Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., the City of Santa Clarita will host its 31st Annual River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo, continuing one of our community’s longest-running volunteer initiatives. Registration opens on Monday, August 3, and I encourage everyone to sign up early. For more than three decades, this event has united volunteers in a morning of service that leaves a lasting impact. Since the event began in 1994, volunteers have removed more than 510,000 pounds of trash from the Santa Clara River, helping preserve one of Southern California’s last natural, free-flowing river systems.
The Santa Clara River provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including several endangered species, while also helping recharge our local groundwater supply, an essential resource for Santa Clarita. By removing litter and debris from the riverbed, volunteers help protect this unique ecosystem for future generations. Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or someone who has participated year after year, the River Rally offers a rewarding experience for all ages. The City provides cleanup supplies, and volunteers are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor work.
This year’s event will begin at the Newhall Community Center (22421 Market Street), where volunteers will help clean a tributary of the Santa Clara riverbed before enjoying the Environmental Expo. The Expo features local nonprofits, community organizations and environmental partners sharing practical information about recycling, pollution prevention, watershed protection and sustainable living. It’s an opportunity to learn something new while celebrating our community’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
As we prepare for another successful event, I encourage you to mark your calendar and register as soon as sign-ups open on August 3. Invite your family, gather your coworkers, organize your scout troop or simply come on your own. The River Rally has made a meaningful impact for more than 30 years, and this year’s event is another opportunity to give back to our community and protect our local environment.
For more information about the 31st Annual River Rally and Environmental Expo, you can visit GreenSantaClarita.com or call (661) 286-4098.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
