Santa Clarita’s River Rally Celebrates 30 Years of Community Impact

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to be a community that actively embraces sustainability and environmental stewardship. With over 13,000 acres of preserved open space and an extensive network of parks and trails, the City is committed to protecting its natural resources and providing residents with access to outdoor recreation. Santa Clarita hosts a variety of eco-friendly events throughout the year, promoting conservation and sustainable living practices. The City has also taken steps to support clean transportation by installing electric vehicle charging stations at key locations and recently completed a major energy efficiency project that upgraded lighting and HVAC systems across municipal facilities—reducing energy consumption and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts reflect Santa Clarita’s ongoing commitment to creating a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come.
You can be part of the movement. On Saturday, September 20, at 8:00 a.m., the City of Santa Clarita will proudly host the 30th Annual River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo, a signature event that unites residents, local leaders and organizations in a shared mission to protect one of Southern California’s last natural, free-flowing river systems. This year’s cleanup effort will focus on the riverbed area near Wiley Canyon Road and the Via Princessa Bridge, an ecological corridor that supports native wildlife and contributes to our local water resiliency.
More than just a cleanup, the River Rally has evolved into a symbol of environmental stewardship, civic pride and community engagement. Last year alone, almost 1,200 volunteers removed over 12,500 pounds of waste and debris from the riverbed. Since the event’s inception, the community has collectively extracted nearly half a million pounds of waste—an achievement that reflects the remarkable impact of coordinated, local action.
Guiding this long-standing effort is the City’s Environmental Services division, known to residents as Green Santa Clarita. Through this initiative, the City offers a wide range of programs that empower individuals and families to make sustainable choices, from comprehensive recycling services and hazardous waste disposal to stormwater education, composting workshops and pollution prevention campaigns.
The Environmental Services team understands that meaningful change begins with accessible education. That is why the River Rally also features an Environmental Expo, an interactive, family-friendly component of the event that showcases innovative approaches to sustainability. Attendees can engage with local nonprofits, government agencies and eco-focused organizations while discovering practical ways to reduce their environmental footprint.
Participation in the River Rally is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required by Thursday, September 19 at GreenSantaClarita.com/Events. Registered volunteers will receive detailed event information along with a complimentary Santa Clarita Transit day pass to encourage eco-conscious transportation.
All participants are advised to wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring a reusable water bottle. While the morning promises to be productive, it is also a celebration of 30 years of community leadership, environmental dedication and the ongoing investment in the spaces that connect us all.
To learn more about the River Rally or explore Green Santa Clarita’s year-round environmental programs, please visit GreenSantaClarita.com.

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