Environment Archives - American River Parkway Foundation

The American River Parkway Needs Your Voice!

When will enough be enough?That is the question we’ve been asking officials and Supervisors with the County of Sacramento since submitting our Demand Letter in January. Over the past three years, the illegal camping situation has worsened with more than 2,000 campers now living on the Parkway. That has led to a deterioration in environmental, public health and humanitarian conditions, which has a devastating effect on the Parkway and the people living on it. We need your help pressing our leaders for answers and solutions! County Supervisors hold regular public meetings and we encourage you to attend and ask: What is the timeline for establishing more shelter space, especially for those living on the Parkway? How will the $25 million that is coming from the state be allocated to benefit the Parkway? What is the plan for using the federal funding from the America Rescue Plan? We now have ordinances in the County that prevent illegal camping on the Parkway. When will they be enforced? Millions of dollars are being allocated to address homelessness in the County. Where are the results? Where are the shelters? What is the latest on the partnership with the City of Sacramento, including the signing of the MOU? The next opportunity is Sup. Rich Desmond’s community meeting tomorrow night (Oct. 6) at 6 p.m. It’s taking place at the Gibbons Park, Mission Oaks Community Center located at: 4701 Gibbons Drive Carmichael, CA 95608 Please attend and make your voice heard!

Thank You to Everyone who Helped Make GARCU 2022 a HUGE Success!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Great American River Clean-Up a success this year! 1,308 Participants 41,245 Pounds of Trash Over 30 Pounds Per Person Removing trash from the American River Parkway has tremendous environmental benefits. It reduces the amount of pollutants – like battery acid, microplastics and Styrofoam – that enter the environment, decreases the amount of trash in our waterways, protects water quality and removes hazards that are a danger to wildlife. This year’s event was held at more than 20 locations along the Parkway. Some of the more interesting things found during the clean-up include dentures, a pellet rifle, a car door and a hand forklift. The Great American River Clean-Up is held during the California Coastal Cleanup, a larger statewide effort to clean our waterways. The event takes place every September. Thank you to our sponsors. Carmichael Water District Gold River Community Association Sacramento Suburban Water District SMUD Thank you to our volunteer groups representing: American Heritage Girls Troop CA1271 Butterfield Riviera East Community Association California Conservation Corps Capital Tech Solutions El Parkis Youth Group Five Star Bank Fort Sutter Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) Girl Scout Troop 4028 Jackson Labs Pepperdine Sacramento Waves Rotary Club of Arden-Arcade Rotary Club of Sacramento Rhombus Sac State Softball Team Sac State Student Environmental Organization Sacramento Picks It Up Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps Scout Troop 8 Scout Troop 447 Target Tzu Chi USA Sacramento Service Center UC Davis Law Students Association Union Sacramento FC United Way California Capital Region Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento And thank you to all of the individuals, families and other groups that gave up part of their weekend to help our Parkway. Without your support, we would not have been able to accomplish what we did. See the full press release for more details and photos.

Coyotes on the American River Parkway: Things to Know

Coyotes are common along the full 23-mile stretch of the American River Parkway. Here are a few things you need to know when it comes to interacting with them: Though you may see a coyote at any time of the day, they are most active at dawn and dusk. If you do see one, do not approach it and enjoy it from a distance. Coyotes are naturally curious and may follow or observe you from a distance. If a coyote gets too close, DO NOT RUN. Face the coyote and maintain eye contact. If a coyote gets aggressive, make loud noises and wave your arms. If this doesn’t work, throw rocks or sticks. Most encounters with coyotes result from the presence of a pet dog. This can be because the coyote sees the dog as potential competition, or – in the case of smaller dogs – as a food source. This is one reason why it is important to keep your dog on a leash at all times while on the Parkway. Keep small children and pets close if you see a coyote and do not leave them unattended while in coyote territory. January through March is coyote mating season. You may see coyotes exhibit more territorial behavior during this time. A coyote may “escort” your dog away from den/territory, food or pups during pup rearing season (Spring and Summer). It may also bluff charge your dog if it gets too close. If a coyote is aggressive, report the incident to Park Rangers by calling 3-1-1. Learn more about coyotes and how you can help keep them wild from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Rattlesnake Encounters on the American River Parkway: How to Avoid Them and What to Do in the Event of a Bite

Rattlesnakes are found on the American River Parkway. As the weather heats up, they will become more active, including at night when they may be hard to see. Fortunately, rattlesnake bites are rare and mostly occur during improper handling of a snake or when they’re brushed against by someone walking or climbing. Here are some tips from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on how you can avoid a rattlesnake bite: Stay alert when outdoors. Wear sturdy boots and loose-fitting long pants. DO NOT wear sandals or flip-flops in brushy areas. Stay on well-used trails. Avoid tall grass, weeds, and heavy underbrush. Check rocks, stumps or logs before sitting down. Shake out sleeping bag and tent before use. Let others know where you are going, when you plan to return, and carry a cell phone. Hike with a companion when possible. DO NOT grab “sticks” in water. Rattlesnakes can swim. DO NOT let dogs off leash. Dogs are at increased risk when sniffing the ground near brushy areas. DO NOT try to touch or handle a snake, dead or alive. Dead rattlers may still inject venom shortly after death. Give live rattlesnakes enough space. They will usually escape before striking. In the event of a rattlesnake bite, here is what you should do: Stay calm – but act quickly! Remove items which may constrict swelling (e.g., watches, rings, shoes). Transport victim to the nearest medical facility. Do NOT apply a tourniquet. Do NOT pack the bite area in ice. Do NOT cut the wound with a knife or razor. Do NOT use your mouth to suck out the venom. If a pet is bitten – Speak to your veterinarian about canine rattlesnake vaccine options. Learn more about rattlesnakes, the importance of their conservation and how they behave at California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

More Than 13,450 Pounds of Trash and Debris Removed by hundreds of Volunteers During Spring Clean-Up

The American River Parkway Foundation’s second largest clean-up of the year focused on eight locations along the American River Parkway SACRAMENTO, Calif. – More than 400 volunteers removed over 13,450 pounds of trash and debris from the American River Parkway (Parkway) during the American River Parkway Foundation’s (Parkway Foundation) Spring Clean-Up on Saturday, April 23. That’s more than 33 pounds per volunteer. Spring Clean-Up is the Parkway Foundation’s second largest clean-up of the year and took place at eight locations along the Parkway this year, including: Discovery Park, Northgate Parkway Access, Cal Expo Parkway Access, Northrop Parkway Access, Howe Avenue River Access, Watt Avenue River Access, River Bend Park and the Upper Sunrise Recreation Area. This is the first time the clean-up has been held since 2019. “We love and appreciate our volunteers. These are families and involved community members that are giving up part of their Saturday to help us conserve the American River Parkway,” said Dianna Poggetto, Parkway Foundation Executive Director. “We would not be able to make the impact we do without their dedication.” Some of the most interesting items found during the clean-up: The Sacramento Bee newspaper dispenser Unicycle Toy gun Plastic barrel Shopping carts Electric scooters In addition to Spring Clean-Up, the Parkway Foundation hosts the Great American River Clean Up. This event takes place along all 23 miles of the Parkway and will be on September 17 this year. These large clean-ups are complemented by smaller group clean-ups the Parkway Foundation hosts year-round to form the Parkway Foundation’s Clean-Up Program. Last year, more than 138,000 pounds of trash were removed by Parkway Foundation volunteers through this program. More details about Parkway Foundation programs can be found at www.ARPF.org/Programs About the American River Parkway Foundation The American River Parkway Foundation (Parkway Foundation) is the only nonprofit organization focused on active conservation of all 23 miles of the American River Parkway (Parkway). Through managing programs like volunteer clean-ups, infrastructure improvements, trail maintenance, fire mitigation and education, the Parkway Foundation leads and inspires the community to conserve and nurture the Parkway as a unique, accessible resource for everyone to enjoy. Learn more at www.ARPF.org. — ### —