Matthew Martz
Special to the Sun

The 6th Annual Kern River Clean-Up Day was held this past Saturday and was once again a huge success, with participants collecting enough debris to fill a 20-foot stake side truck.

Forty-five volunteers consisting of raft guides, private boaters, and other members of the public floated and hiked along the Kern River finding and removing everything, including a kitchen refrigerator and several discarded tires.

Spencer Josif, left, takes the trash hand-off from John Cosgrove during Kern River Clean-Up Day July 11.

With gloves and trash bags in hand and armed with sunscreen, the participants were split into two groups, one of which worked along the riverbank between Keyesville and Hobo Campground and the other focusing on an area between Delonegha put-in and the Democrat take-out.

“Most of the refuse was removed from the Black Gulch area,” stated Brian Cosgrove, the event’s coordinator. “Unlike previous years where the bulk of the debris had been discovered in China Gardens, which seemed to be much cleaner now that the 4x4 access road has been closed.”

After spending six hours collecting and discarding the debris, the clean-up participants were treated to a BBQ dinner at Miracle Hot Springs while listening to the sweet sounds of “Out of the Blue”, a local blue grass band. After dinner there was a raffle in which all participants went home with variety of gifts including gift certificates from various local businesses and restaurants.

“We want to thank everyone for their participation, we could not do this without the help our volunteers and sponsors,” said Cosgrove.

The Kern River Clean-up is sponsored by 50 different agencies and businesses including the Kern River Council, Payzone Inc., Whitewater Voyages, Eagle Rafting, Kern River Outfitters, Kern River Tours, Mountain and River Adventures, and Sierra South.

The annual clean up is held the first Saturday after the 4th of July holiday each year.

To participate in next year’s event or would like to learn how your company can help to protect and restore our environment, contact Brian Cosgrove at the Kern Valley River Council, 760-549-3760 or e-mail kerncleanup@gmail.com.