Elk Grove volunteers spend their Saturdays keeping the community clean. Here’s how to help
A group of Elk Grove residents are doing their part to keep their neighborhood and surrounding areas clean by coming together on Saturday mornings and picking up trash left in their communities.
The Elk Grove Anti-Trash Community Cleanups were first introduced in late summer 2020 after a young couple, David Irons and Khaliah Ingram, posted their cleanup plans on Nextdoor, an app where neighbors can connect with each other and remain aware of the happenings in their community.
Together, Irons and Ingram started the initiative to tackle the city’s ongoing litter and illegal dumping problems at its parks, trails, waterways, fields and streets. The group is made up of dozens of volunteers of varying backgrounds who are enthusiastic and dedicated to de-trashing the city.
“Once a handful of us met with David and Khaliah, we realized and agreed that scheduling weekly cleanups on Saturday mornings was very beneficial for those who wanted to be outdoors, participate in something meaningful, and take a break from the realities of the pandemic at the time,” said Sharon Anderson, one of the group’s administrators and organizers.
Anderson said an “overwhelming response” of other like-minded people who wanted to beautify their own city is what formed the group, which aims to remove trash from waterways, parks, streets, trails and even private property.
They created a friendly, family-like environment through a shared interest to eliminate litter in a fun and accessible way.
“That overwhelming response has lasted for three years of weekly cleanups,” Anderson said. “Over these years, we have learned that it takes a community to care for a community. Not everything can be done by government employees or other contract partners. We think it is very important to continue to inspire others to take care of our environment whether it is a street or a creek.”
Next volunteer opportunity
The group will meet again this Saturday, weather permitting, to clean up Franklin Creek and surrounding areas such as Buscher Park, Willard Parkway Bridge and the nearby streets and trail area.
The Elk Grove Anti-Trash Community Cleanups are done at the volunteers’ risk. There will be a safety meeting, beginning at 9 a.m. prior to cleanup.
Volunteers should park along Canadeo Circle, adjacent to the trail.
All volunteers, especially those who plan to go into the Franklin Creek channel and remove dirt-colored trash and recyclables, should be sure to wear appropriate clothing, waterproof boots, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, hats and bring their own water, organizers say.
Anderson, who also serves as the group’s social media manager, added that they noticed that the wind blows quite a bit of trash all around and into the city’s creeks and other places, which could further cause pollution.
“The cleanup this weekend that you are referring to on Franklin Creek near Willard Parkway continues to be an area that we need to periodically revisit. Stormwater pollution is real and it flows into our creeks and streams,” Anderson said. “Franklin Creek does not end up at the Regional Sanitation District where filtration occurs. Franklin Creek is a wild creek, essentially, and flows out into ranchland before the waters enter the Sacramento River.
“We think it is very important to keep the trash from migrating away from our city boundary.”
Cleaning efforts in Elk Grove, nearby areas
The Elk Grove Anti-Trash group has established connections with different city officials and public departments to help coordinate cleanup day and removal of trash and bulk items.
They’ve either partnered with, or been supported by, the City of Elk Grove, Cosumnes Community Services District and the River City Waterway Alliance, among others.
“A number of Elk Grove volunteers regularly come to help out their Sacramento counterparts with cleanups along the American River. It is important to have partnerships and friendships that span City borders, so we can work in tandem to get the job done. EGAT is an amazing and wonderful group. Badgers and waterway warriors have been born. Thank you for all your love and support EGAT,” the River City Waterway Alliance wrote in a Facebook post in April.
Throughout November, the group cleaned public spaces in Elk Grove along Auberry Drive, East Stockton Boulevard and Sheldon Road, collecting nearly 1,000 pounds of garbage, Elk Grove officials said in a social media post.
EGAT was recognized in 2021 with a Mayor’s Volunteer Award as a service organization or group, for its commitment to keeping the city clean.
Sometimes, the group will even get together during weekdays to pick up trash in a visible effort called a “trash dash.”
They sometimes report on private and public properties with excessive buildup of trash and blight, as well as errant shopping carts on trails.
Anderson stands on the fact that EGAT is “not an organization” but “just a loose band of volunteers” that are passionate about keeping their city clean.
“The cleanups are significant to all of us since nobody likes to live in a city that looks trashy. By preventing blight, and the buildup of illegal dumping and trash, we can proudly state that Elk Grove is far more desirable to live in than other areas that have trash accumulations everywhere,” Anderson said. “We are very proud of our city And feel the need to pitch in. There are many of us like-minded folks who are willing to do what it takes. We try to destigmatize the aspect of cleaning up.”
