THE SPRING CLEANUP

April 11, 2026 | 9-11am

This is what showing up for the river looks like

On April 11, 2026, Colorado River Alliance brought together 75 volunteers across seven Eastern Travis County parks for our annual Spring Cleanup even in the rain—removing 471.78 pounds of large and small trash and recycling from our watershed.

Working through wet grass, park paths, and creek edges (and even in the water), volunteers saw firsthand how rain moves trash through our parks, into creeks, and toward the Texas Colorado River.

Events like this are a reminder that protecting the river starts upstream, through community action and strong partnerships.

We’re grateful to Travis County Parks, Travis County Environmental Quality, and our lead sponsor FVF Law for helping make this work possible.

Watch the recap on YouTube to see the impact in action—and the people behind it.

7 locations:

Barkley Meadows Park
Ben Fisher Park
East Metro Park
Northeast Metro Park
Richard Moya Park
Southeast Metro Park
Webberville Park

Photo contest winners

Congratulations to our photo contest winners!

MOST BOTTLE CAPS
369 bottle caps
Eric P.

MOST UNUSUAL OBJECT
Tortoise shell
Ryan P.

DIRTIEST VOLUNTEER
Proving a little dirt won’t hurt!
Yevhenii H.

SURPRISE PRIZES!
One volunteer from each site won their very own Yogi Bin by helping complete a litter audit for Keep Texas Beautiful’s Texas Litter Database.

Photo contest prizes

MOST BOTTLE CAPS
Patagonia Terravia Pack 22L

MOST UNUSUAL OBJECT
Patagonia Terravia Pack 22L

DIRTIEST VOLUNTEER
CRA Swag Bag including CRA t-shirt, Longhorn Dam Vision 2085 poster, River Society hat, and a Patagonia Merganzer hat, all packaged in a CRA tote bag.

SURPRISE PRIZE
Yogi Bin Litter Gitter

Check out the cleanup fun

About The Spring Cleanup

A community event for all ages!

Started in 2021 by Colorado River Alliance and Travis County Parks, The Spring Cleanup brings together local organizations and volunteers to clean up parks and waterways east of downtown Austin.

This community cleanup will take place across beautiful Travis County Parks in East Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Del Valle, and Webberville. We need people of all ages to help remove trash from downstream parks and creeks—areas that have a significant impact on the Texas Colorado River Basin.

Thank you to our Lead Sponsor

Thank you In-kind Donors

Gulf Kolach

H-E-B

Keep Nature Wild

Patagonia

Rambler

Twisted X

Yogi Bins

The Spring Cleanup Brought to You By:

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Colorado River Alliance Legacy Leaders

Your generosity and support are essential to the mission of Colorado River Alliance. Thank you for championing the long-term vitality of the Texas Colorado River.

“A healthy, flowing Texas Colorado River is imperative to the well-being of millions of people throughout the river basin. Big volunteer days like the Lake Travis Cleanup are a great way to remind folks that Lake Travis is part of the river system – we are all connected via the River. I’m so excited to see toddlers and teenagers out here today because I’m hopeful they will grow-up with an appreciation for our Lakes and Rivers and a desire to be a river steward and protector.”
Adrienne Longenecker, Executive Director of Colorado River Alliance

In Memoriam:
Sr. Deputy Jessica L. Hollis

Jessica was swept away while checking a low water crossing in her patrol car on September 18, 2014. She loved the Lake Travis Cleanup and 2014 was her second year participating. We will miss her very much. Jessica is pictured above with Travis County Sherrif’s Office Lake Patrol Dive Captain Jose Escribano.