31st Annual Green River Gorge Cleanup
The Green River Gorge is located southeast of Seattle. It is a 14 mile long river carved canyon that is the best kept secret in King County. Every year boaters from all over the region come together to cleanup the garbage left by thoughtless people who visit the river and continue to leave their trash along the river banks and natural areas.
"Did you know the Green River Clean-Up was conceived by Volunteers for outdoor Washington. In 1985 they removed over 100 tons of trash, pollutants, cars, tires, appliances etc. on 130 miles of river banks from Tacoma’s Headworks to Elliot Bay. The 14 mile Gorge reach was organized by Washington State Parks Dennis Meyers, then Ranger At Kanaskat Palmer. Included Washington Kayak Club, Paddle Trails Canoe Club, Boing Whitewater and Touring Club and the fledgling Washington Recreational River Runners".
— From Green River Cleanup website.
I attended the 31st annual Green River Cleanup primarily organized by Washington Recreational River Runners and Friends of the Green. I have attended many of the cleanups since 2000 as a whitewater boater an advocate for conservation of the Green River Gorge. It is always amazing to see the piles of trash that the boaters and ground crews haul off the shores and natural areas along the Green River Gorge. It is an unfortunate reality that many in our society are too lazy or thoughtless to carry out their own garbage. That fact alone makes it likely that the Green River Cleanup will be needed long into the future.
Check out the Friends of the Green River Gorge Facebook page.