Saturday, April 26, 2025
Spring Cleanup Recap
Photo credit: Jim Canning
Volunteers in action at East Metro Park, working together to protect our shared green spaces.
7 Parks, 72 Bags, 1 Community
Travis County Parks in the Colorado River watershed are looking a whole lot cleaner after more than 100 volunteers cleared out 457 pounds of trash!
Colorado River Alliance, Travis County Parks and volunteers gathered last Saturday, April 26, in 7 parks across East Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Del Valle and Webberville. Collectively, they gathered:
- 55 full bags of trash
- 17 full bags of recycling
- Larger items removed included a broken camping chair and two tires
What did we find most?
Most of the litter removed was micro-trash—tiny but persistent items like bottle caps, can tabs, confetti, cigarette butts and small plastic wrappers. These seemingly small items add up fast and can cause significant damage to our environment and waterways.
Each site completed a trash audit, which will be submitted to Keep Texas Beautiful’s Litter Database: a groundbreaking tool that helps communities like ours contribute to Texas-wide litter prevention and cleanup efforts.
Here are a few moments captured by photographer Jim Canning, along with photos submitted from site leaders for the cleanup:
Photo credit: Jim Canning
Photo credit: Neha Bidnurkar
of community cleanup.
Photo credit: Christine Herlin
“It was wonderful to meet the individuals spearheading this initiative and to discover the gorgeous Barkley Meadows Park! I had no idea that it existed before. I enjoyed learning about the Colorado River Alliance and having an opportunity to help clean up a beautiful public space.”
Kara
“Wonderful organization. Perfect for families with small children.”
Shanna
Hosted by:
Follow us on socials!
A share or mention of the 2025 Spring Cleanup is always appreciated as we continue to highlight the power of community-driven environmental action.
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.
Finley through the years!
