Friends of the Yampa volunteers gather for river cleanup

News News | Aug 1, 2023 function androidOrIOS() { const userAgent = navigator.userAgent; const applink = document.getElementById('mobile-app-link'); const whizDeepLink = 'craigpressmobile://content?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.craigdailypress.com%2Fnews%2Ffriends-of-the-yampa-volunteers-gather-for-river-cleanup%2F§ionId=&fallback=1'; if ( whizDeepLink != '' && /iPad|iPhone|iPod/i.test(userAgent) ) { applink.href = whizDeepLink; applink.innerHTML = ' View in mobile app'; applink.title = 'Whiz'; } else { if (/android/i.test(userAgent)){ applink.href = 'https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whiz.craigdaily&hl=en_US'; applink.innerHTML = ' Open mobile app'; applink.title = 'Andriod'; } else if(/iPad|iPhone|iPod/i.test(userAgent)){ applink.href = 'https://apps.apple.com/us/app/craig-press/id1071364241'; applink.innerHTML = ' Open mobile app'; applink.title = 'iOS'; } } } androidOrIOS();

[email protected]

The Friends of the Yampa had 90 volunteers gather on Saturday for a successful clean-up of the Yampa in Craig and Steamboat.

Volunteers picked up nearly six miles of river, riparian habitat along the river, access locations/parking lots and along the bike bath running through town. Katie Berning, outreach and outdoor coordinator for the Friends of the Yampa, noted that the most heavily littered areas were parking lots and in the reach between Fetcher Park to the Transit Center.

The most common items collected were 980 pieces of plastic, 933 cigarette butts, 760 pieces of paper and 309 empty aluminum cans. Broken glass, plastic bottles, food wrappers and bottle caps were also frequently picked up items. Shoes/sandals/flip flops, cardboard, straws, plastic shopping bags, sunglasses, bags of dog poop, full aluminum cans and mini-alcohol bottles were also in abundance.

Among the more unusual items discovered during the cleanup were a satellite dish, shotgun shells, furniture and a bin of scrap metal.

Berning highlighted the optimism of the participants as they were all united by their common love of the Yampa.

“Local residents and visitors alike came together to show their respect for the river habitat and promote good practices,” Berning said.

Although this will be the last formal cleanup by the Friends of the Yampa for the season, Berning was quick to note that many volunteer groups conduct similar activities throughout the year. Many groups contact the Friends of the Yampa to coordinate their efforts and promote the ideals of preserving a healthy ecosystem.

Berning also gave credit to preventing littering on the Yampa to the River Ambassadors. The Ambassadors help educate river users about proper river etiquette and conduct. Informing river enthusiasts about the rules of the river has helped not only decrease litter, but also seems to raise awareness that the river is an environmentally sensitive system.

“People forget its an ecosystem and not a lazy river at a hotel,” Berning said.

Along with thanking the volunteers who participated, Berning was quick to extend thanks to the sponsors of the event. In Steamboat, those sponsors included Brooklynn’s Pizza and Storm Peak Brewing. In Craig, Good Vibes River Gear, Yampa Valley Brewing Company, and the Northwest Colorado Chapter of Parrotheads provided their support and services.

Berning also credited the support of the cities of Craig and Steamboat with assistance and support.

“Thanks to all who came together to promote good practices on the river.”

Aug 1, 2023

Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.

The Friends of the Yampa sponsored a cleanup of the river in Craig and Steamboat on Saturday.Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.