11/23/18 2nd Annual Green Friday Lower Salt River Cleanup Project

Natural Restorations hosted our 2nd Annual Green Friday Salt River Cleanup on Friday, November 23rd, 2018. Volunteers helped us remove 2.44 tons of trash, that’s 4,880 pounds!

346 volunteers, including 109 youth volunteers, met in the 2nd parking lot at Phon D Sutton Recreation Area and hiked upriver, crossing at its lowest point to access trash from a part of the river rarely seen. Volunteers found a lot of old trash, like beer and soda cans from the 1970's, as well as sheets, boom boxes, clothing, hats, shoes, inner tubes, glass beer bottles, a heavy trash can, and much more.

We asked the community to think differently about the day after Thanksgiving and start a new tradition with us. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make a huge impact on the Lower Salt River. Green Friday is a day to #OptOutside, give back, and help keep outdoor recreation and wilderness areas clean and open for the public to enjoy. Join us next year for the 3rd Annual Green Friday Cleanup and check out pictures from the Inaugural Green Friday Cleanup HERE.

We would like to thank the following organizations for their support of this event:

American Rivers, American Way Market Cafe, CopperPoint Insurance Companies, Desert Monsters Tours, Fry’s Food Stores, Garland Signs & Specialties, Huppybar, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, J. Bowers & Associates, LeBaron & Carroll Insurance, OdySea Aquarium Foundation, REI, REI Phoenix, REI Chandler, REI Goodyear Distribution Center, Rubio’s, Southwest Airlines, Salt River Project, and the U.S. Forest Service - Tonto National Forest - Mesa Ranger District.

Check out all of the amazing photo galleries below from photographers, volunteers, & a few from us.

Photos courtesy of Tom Corey Images - click a photo to view full size imaage

Photos courtesy of Robert Coonrod

At noon, everyone met back at the picnic area for a delicious BBQ lunch donated by American Way Market Cafe in Chandler. Volunteers were treated to BBQ pork and turkey sandwiches, coleslaw and chips. Thank you so much to everyone at American Way Market Cafe for sharing your amazing BBQ with everyone and showing your support for what the volunteers accomplished on Green Friday.