When most hear about an organized cleanup day in Southern California, they usually flock to the beaches or the banks of the L.A. River and fill up garbage bags with trash they’ve collected.
But on Sept. 23, the mountains will get a little love during National Public Lands Day.
In particular, the Angeles National Forest is in need of volunteers to rid its mountain canyons, wild rivers and overused picnic and camping grounds of trash — and to spruce up facilities that are showing their age.
The U.S. Forest Service is organizing cleanups at three locations above Azusa, Glendora and near Santa Clarita, roughly from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and snacks and lunch will be provided. Each site has a separate link for volunteer sign-ups and detailed directions:
• East Fork of the San Gabriel River, north of Azusa and Glendora. Take Highway 39 into the 700,000-acre forest and turn right onto East Fork Road. Meet up with organizers at the Oaks Picnic Area, east of Camp Williams. The area, part of the 700,000-acre Angeles National Forest and the smaller San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, is one of the most heavily visited spots. Visitors are known for leaving behind mountains of trash and making rock dams in the river that can kill the Santa Ana sucker fish. To register and for more information, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-national-public-lands-day-in-the-east-fork-tickets-713994164767
• North Fork of the San Gabriel River, off Highway 39 but north of the East Fork turnoff near Mile Marker 27. Volunteers will pick up litter and paint over graffiti. To register, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-national-public-lands-day-in-the-north-fork-tickets-714035057077
• Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial & National Monument in the Santa Clarita Valley at 35622 San Francisquito Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, 91390. Event runs from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. Volunteers will pick up micro-trash, paint over graffiti and clear weeds.
Volunteers…
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