In 2016, Chris Brokate with Clean River Alliance started engaging with the unhoused in our community to encourage them to clean their camps. Chris provided them with trash bags and then, once full, arranged to come to get them. Russian Riverkeeper took over the project now known as the Clean Camp program. Many of those we meet living under bridges, in tents, or in vehicles care deeply about our community and environment and know the negative impacts of trash along our beautiful river. We are presently assisting between 120 to 125 unhoused individuals in the communities along the Russian River from Cloverdale to the coast in keeping their camps clean and free of trash.
Many in our community along the Russian River may notice orange bags full of trash in various locations along roadways. That’s because every week those participating in Clean Camp are cleaning their own camps! We provide the bright orange bags, those living in the camps fill them, and we pick them up on certain days, leaving empty bags for the next time. (See before and after pictures above.) We are providing a trash service for them since they do not have an official address and would be unable to access the trash removal service. Anywhere between 13,000 and 15,000 pounds of trash are filled into orange bags by the unhoused each month. That’s upwards of 180,000 pounds each year!
In the 2019 flood on the Russian River, many of the unhoused were displaced, many losing not only the place they were living but all of their personal items. In the midst of great adversity, some reached out to us, wanting to know how they can help with the massive amounts of trash left from the flood. These individuals joined our volunteer ranks. Despite having lost everything, they turned to helping local businesses in Guerneville clean out their flooded stores. In some cases, they staged themselves behind county workers, sweeping up smaller debris left behind so it would not end up in storm drains and into the Russian River.
The Clean Camp Program also assists with other forms of outreach and provides items such as food, water, and basic supplies. We also connect the unhoused to service providers, who assist with issues ranging from short and long-term housing to mental health counseling.
With the ongoing help from our unhoused volunteers in the program, we are able to continue keeping the river clean and healthy for plants, wildlife and people to enjoy and thrive.