Gunnison River Float Trip and Clean Up!

Gunnison River Float Trip and Clean Up!

Join Western Colorado Congress, Western Slope Adventures, Colorado Canyons Association, and the Grand Junction BLM SaturdaDom-Escal NCA Canoes 105y, July 26th for a day on the Gunnison River.

On a recent float trip of the river, members noticed a huge amount of trash in and on the river banks. The high water from the spring run-off dislodged lots of junk and we’d like to clean it up! Afterwards we will celebrate the effort with a BBQ at Bill Heddles Park in Delta.  You do not need to have a boat to participate; we’ve got empty seats and would love to have you!

WHEN/WHERE: Sat July 26th, 8AM-4PM

WCC & WSA are teaming up to float & clean the Delta to Escalante section or the river. We are meeting at the boat launch behind the Bill Heddles Recreation Center at 8:00 AM. Once we drop off boats and excess people, we will set up a car shuttle so we can be on the water by 9:30 AM. The plan is to be off the water by 4:00 PM.

After the float, we will meet back at Bill Heddles for a BBQ & post event festivities. CCA will supply burgers and beverages. Participants are asked to please bring a picnic-type side dish to share.

WHO/WHAT BOATS:

BLM would like 10-15 volunteers for this section of the river. Again, you do not need a boat to participate as we have empty seats at the moment. However if you would like to bring a boat, please note that inflatable kayaks and small paddle rafts may work best as they are easy to get in & out of, as well as to lean over the side without concern about capsizing.

WHAT TO BRING:

-PFD/Lifejacket (bring if you have, if you don’t, let us know when you RSVP & we will secure one for you)

-Snacks and water- easy, high energy snacks since we’ll have a feast afterwards

-2-3 quarts of drinking water

-Clothing/Sun Protection- broad brimmed hat, sunglasses (lots of reflected sunlight off the water), sunscreen, long pants & or shirt, bandanna, whatever else you need to protect yourself from the sun!

-Garden/lawn rake for other implement to reach into the brush for trash & debris

Colorado Canyons Association will supply trash bags and rubber gloves. BLM will make arrangements to pick up/ transport the loads of bagged-trash so small boats will not need to carry it all the length of the float. Hope to see you on the river!

Contact Emily to RSVP: 970-256-7650, emily@westerncoloradoalliance.org

About the author

Emily stepped up as our staff director in 2017, but originally joined our team as a community organizer in 2013. Born and raised on the Western Slope, Emily graduated from Colorado State University and then had the privilege of learning from and working alongside organizers in Central and South America as well as Appalachian coal country. They returned to their home state to protect the land they love and work with fellow Coloradans for a healthy, just and self-reliant future for our rural communities. Emily enjoys organizing, exploring the Colorado Plateau, country music and punk concerts with equal passion.