REDWOOD NEEDLES

Presented by the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Newsletter, The REDWOOD NEEDLES

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12th Annual Russian River Cleanup - September 25

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors declared Saturday, September 25th as Russian River Cleanup Day. Supervisor Mike Reilly of the 5th District introduced the resolution which acknowledges the work of Sequoia Paddling Club/Sierra Club and the many sponsors of the Russian River Cleanup.

The first Russian River Cleanup was held November 6, 1988. Forty participants from Sequoia Canoe Club, Sierra Club, Redwood Paddlers and citizens pitched in to clean up debris between Alexander Valley and Healdsburg. The refuse included a dozen tires, lots of disposable diapers, and beer bottles. In 1998 there were close to 300 participants; we cleaned the river from Asti to Jenner. The debris collected included well over 100 tires, several tons of recyclables, wood products, and various car parts. What started out as a small community event has become a county-wide event that has in-creased awareness about the need to conserve one of Sonoma County's finest resources. Several of the same people who were involved in the first Russian River Cleanup are still actively involved in seeing that this event happens.

Volunteers are needed to help with the organization, with the actual cleanup either by canoe or by foot on September 25, and with recycling on September 26. Organizational meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays August 10, September 7 and September 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Mary's Pizza, Marlow and Piner Roads in Santa Rosa. Individuals who wish to participate in the actual cleanup and/or recycling efforts may call 707-577-7151. If you have a particular section of the river between Asti and Jenner you are interested in working on, please leave that information on the phone line.

You may also sign up by e-mail: h20sports@mailexcite.com or on the internet: http://sequoiapc.org/~chinglin. Please sign up by September 10! Currently we are planning for a gathering after the clean-up. There will also be other incentives for participants. Donations from businesses, public entities, and individuals are also needed. Donations may be sent to Sequoia Paddling Club, P.O. Box 1164, Windsor, CA 95492. Please designate that the donation is earmarked for the Russian River Cleanup.

If you have questions, you may call this year's coordinator, Bob Clemens, at 707-887-2303 (e-mail address: goldengateherb@wclynx.com) or Carroll Hirsch at 707-829-5338 (e-mail: jhirsch@sonic.net).

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