The Roaring Fork Conservancy is calling on volunteers to help with its 27th Annual Watershed Cleanup, taking place during daylight hours from April 25 through April 29. Participants must register by April 19 to receive an assigned cleanup location.

This year marks a new chapter for the longstanding event, which now bears a new name. 

Formerly known as the Fryingpan & Beyond River Cleanup, the updated title reflects a broader mission, to target litter and debris throughout the entire Roaring Fork Watershed — not just along its rivers. A watershed, organizers explain, is all the land that drains into a common water outlet, meaning that litter anywhere in the region can ultimately impact local rivers. 

“Our first cleanup was the Fryingpan cleanup, but even before COVID, we had 200 people show up that morning, so we decided to send them out beyond the Fryingpan,” said Christina Medved, Roaring Fork Conservancy’s director of Community Outreach. “We ended up sending people along the banks of the Roaring Fork River along Basalt.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, organizers had to adjust their format. The change, Medved said, opened the door to greater geographic reach.

“Because of that, we were able to send people to a lot more sections along the entire Roaring Fork Watershed, and we have kept that format since,” she explained. “We have people cleaning up beyond Ruedi Reservoir, through Redstone, then from North Star through Glenwood Springs. That’s when we knew the name needed to reflect the full area we were actually covering — the Roaring Fork Watershed.”

Volunteers will be deployed throughout the watershed — from Aspen to Glenwood Springs and from Ruedi Reservoir to McClure Pass — to remove debris that threatens local waterways.

While most of the trash is relatively small — like bottles, cans, and cigarette butts — larger or unusual items occasionally turn up.

Volunteers are asked to be respectful of private property and to take safety precautions, especially when working near roads. Bright clothing is recommended, and gloves and trash bags must be brought by participants, except for those working along Frying Pan Road and the Roaring Fork River through Basalt where trash bags will be provided.

Participants are also encouraged to share their cleanup efforts on social media by tagging @roaringforkconservancy on Facebook or using the hashtag #roaringforkconservancy on Instagram. Photos may also be emailed to christina@roaringfork.org by noon on April 30 for a chance to win a prize.

As the conservancy continues its mission to protect the watershed, Medved hopes the cleanup also inspires better daily habits.

“This is a windy place in the valley,” she said. “Things can blow away pretty fast, even without people noticing it, so it’s important to be mindful of that. This is our home, and we share this home with wildlife. Think about how you treat your living room. You do not throw beer cans or cigarette butts on your living room floor. We want people to keep that visual and treat every place like it’s your house, your friend’s house, or your mother’s house.”

She also encourages people to act on the spot. 

“When you see trash, just pick it up,” she said, adding that carrying a trash bag while enjoying the outdoors is an easy way to be a good steward of the land.

Founded in 1996, Roaring Fork Conservancy is an independent nonprofit dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Roaring Fork Watershed. Through education, research, and community partnerships, the organization promotes clean water, healthy riparian ecosystems, and sustainable water use.

To register or learn more about the cleanup, visit roaringfork.org/events. For questions, contact Medved at 970-927-1290 or via email at christina@roaringfork.org.