River Stewards

RISE aims to renew the River Stewards Project, which has successfully reduced trash in the Truckee River watershed. The project addresses the threat of trash to water quality and community health, focusing on an upstream urban area near TMWA’s Water Treatment Plant.

The River Stewards Project focuses on ongoing trash removal, including animal and biohazard waste, along the beautifully landscaped and recreational areas of the Truckee River. The project will hire current and formerly unsheltered individuals as cleanup crew members at a livable wage. These crew members will receive comprehensive training, including community outreach to unsheltered individuals, aligning with the RISE organizational mission.

The project will enhance the community by creating a more appealing outdoor environment along the Truckee River. The Truckee River Path, which includes over six public parks in Reno and access to the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, offers opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and other water sports. Keeping these areas free of trash will provide significant environmental, health, and safety benefits to the entire community.

TMWA Benefit:

The River Stewards Project fits the TRF priority category Stewardship and Environmental Awareness by supporting a cleanup program and offering community education directly connected to preserving and protecting the local environment and enhancing water quality.

The project will also contribute to improving the local watershed by decreasing the total maximum daily load (TMDL) through the reduction of non-point source pollution in and around the Truckee River. The project’s work will occur in upstream urban areas that are close to TMWA’s water treatment facility.