Volunteer Spotlight: Aaron Boice on Finding His Tribe with Russian Riverkeeper
For Aaron Boice, his journey with Russian Riverkeeper began unexpectedly in 2017. One evening, while cycling home along the Prince Memorial Greenway on Santa Rosa Creek, Aaron encountered a woman named Robbin Factor picking up trash along the trail. After thanking her and exchanging numbers, Aaron was soon invited to join a cleanup at Olive Park. What started as a simple conversation turned into a passion for environmental stewardship.
“I immediately fell in love with the work,” Aaron recalls. “Hopping fences, hiking through blackberry vines, and unstable boulders to reach trash was amazing. I finally had permission to explore areas of nature I had only observed from the trail’s edge for so many years.”
Shortly after, Aaron attended another cleanup at Willowside Road, where he met Chris Brokate from The Clean River Alliance, now the Russian Riverkeeper Clean Team Program,—a moment that solidified his commitment to the cause. “At that cleanup, I knew I had found my tribe,” Aaron says.
Memories and Camaraderie
One of the things Aaron enjoys most about volunteering is the camaraderie among the diverse group of volunteers. “We all come together for the same purpose, and I’ve met some really great people over the years,” he shares.
But beyond the friendships, Aaron’s understanding of environmental issues has deepened since joining Russian Riverkeeper. He learned how storm drains connect streets to waterways, funneling trash and chemicals directly into rivers and oceans. “That was a depressing eye-opener for me,” he says. It’s a reminder of how everyday actions have far-reaching impacts on our environment.
The Rewards of Volunteering
For Aaron, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is cleaning up natural spaces so that wildlife can thrive. “Wildlife can’t clean up the man-made mess that surrounds them,” he notes. Over the years, he’s seen a decrease in inland trash, thanks to the hard work of Russian Riverkeeper volunteers. “RRK is protecting the river from many different threats, and that’s crucial to the sustainability of the river.”
He believes that every small action makes a difference, and the collective efforts of volunteers have a positive effect on the environment. “The bigger the community, the better for the environment,” he says.
Why Get Involved?
When asked why others should consider volunteering with Russian Riverkeeper, Aaron doesn’t hesitate. “It’s important work, and you get to immerse yourself in nature in ways you can’t from the beaten path. It’s a great learning experience.” He encourages anyone interested to take that first step, whether through organized events or solo activism.
Aaron’s own connection to the local environment has deepened through his volunteer work. He’s even started a YouTube channel, Taking the Trash Out with Aaron, where he documents his trash cleanups in an effort to inspire others. “Making watchable cleanup videos is harder than I thought, but I keep trying anyway,” he says with a laugh. For Aaron, trash removal is a recreational activity, much like hiking or fishing—you never know what kind of adventure you’re going to have.
Looking Ahead
Aaron sees Russian Riverkeeper’s role as invaluable to protecting the river for future generations. He hopes that more people will come to understand the daily threats faced by the river and the surrounding ecosystems. “RRK’s efforts are crucial, but unfortunately, not many people realize just how great their impact is.”
For Aaron Boice, volunteering with Russian Riverkeeper has been more than just picking up trash—it’s been a way to connect with nature, the community, and a mission that’s close to his heart. His story is a testament to the power of small actions and the difference one person can make.
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