Restoring Truckee River’s Ecological Health through Solid Waste Removal

The grant will support projects aimed at the long-term health of the lower Truckee River’s waters, wildlife, and communities, including collaboration with Indigenous Peoples like the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. These efforts will promote environmental justice and develop strategies with Indigenous communities.

In spring and fall 2025, a reconnaissance team will identify clean-up sites along the Truckee River shorelines. This will involve coordination with Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF), Washoe County, Cities of Reno/Sparks, and River Justice partners and volunteers to further plan for the success of waste removal. Coordinated with Washoe County to acquire 30-yard dumpsters to be utilized during our clean-ups. The focus is to continue data collection, keep track of the number of volunteers, the waste removed (cubic yards), cost of supplies, disposal fees, transportation costs, site location, tracking in-kind, etc. This data will be collected for every clean-up and stewardship event.

TMWA Benefit:

The program prioritizes protecting Indigenous communities and threatened species downstream. Continue to increase habitat and water quality with waste removal. The initiative is committed to finding partners for funding restoration projects and continues to build a strong volunteer response, sharing its vision with network partners and recruiting additional organizations for watershed stewardship.