Bashin’ Trash River Cleanup

This Saturday, August 2, is the annual Bashin’ Trash river clean up. This event was started by Cascade Conservation District (now High Plains Conservation District) and in the last few years has been organized by the Sun River Watershed Group. The goal is to get the community together for a few hours once a year to clean up your favorite river spot. We focus on the Sun and Missouri Rivers, as those are the rivers that flow through Great Falls, our home.

 There are many ways to participate in Bashin’ Trash. The best first step is to visit www.sunriverwatershed.org/bashin-trash and learn about the event. Volunteers can participate alone or in groups. If you would like to join an existing group, there are several listed on the website. We encourage folks to pick your favorite spot on the Sun or Missouri River – a park, trail, stretch you like to float or fish, recreation site – and spend a couple hours there cleaning up trash. If you don’t know where to go, stop by Oddfellows Park in Great Falls between 8:30 and 10 am and we’ll have suggestions for you.

 Everyone’s favorite feature is Bashin’ Trash BINGO! Download a BINGO card from our website or pick one up at Oddfellows Park in the morning. Throughout your cleanup, cross off items on your card and take your photo with them. Send a pic of your completed card and your trash to madison@sunriverwatershed.org to be entered to win great prizes from Great Falls Symphony and the Great Falls Voyagers! Photos may be used on SRWG’s website and other outreach materials.

 Supplies and refreshments are available at Oddfellows Park. We will have trash bags, gloves, and BINGO cards. This year, Stacy from Sam’s Club will be joining us in the morning with breakfast pastries – you can also sign up for discounted Sam’s Club memberships! SRWG will have ice water for filling your water bottles. If you can’t participate in the cleanup on Saturday, swing by and get your supplies, then clean up when you can. Trash can be returned to Oddfellows Park or any public trash can.

 We look forward to seeing you this weekend! Stay tuned for changes coming to Bashin’ Trash next year!