River Cleanups

Since 2015, the Bluebacks have conducted river cleanups on the South Santiam River in the central Willamette Valley together with SOLVE (https://www.solveoregon.org).  Each October and June, our flotilla launches and covers a 3-mile stretch of river adjacent the Sweet Home, Oregon.  An informal competition reigns as we vie to find the best trash to rescue from the river.  Astroturf, gold balls, junction boxes, floatation devices, bathing suits (?!), and tires are major prizes.  One alluring grocery cart, partially filled with cobbles has been seen each year but remains unperturbed as if welded to the river bed.  Each year (twice) we try for it!  In 2023, we joined forces with the local chapter of Project Healing Waters (https://projecthealingwaters.org) to clean the river.