The Great Kern River Cleanup
Our largest cleanup event of the year!
September 12, 2026
The Great Kern River Cleanup
11th Annual Clean Up
Saturday, September 12, 2026
The Great Kern River Cleanup is the premier volunteer event focused on removing trash and restoring the health of the Mighty Kern throughout Sequoia National Forest. This cleanup is an annual event coordinated by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and this statewide effort—coordinated by the Sierra Nevada Alliance, in conjunction with California Coastal Cleanup Day—serves to promote good stewardship on all of our waterways, from the source at 14,000 ft., to the sea, the Pacific Ocean.
Registration 9:30am-10:00am
Event time 10:00am - 12:30pm
What to Bring: Dress for the day's weather and outdoor terrain, and bring a backpack with water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Lunch and supplies will be provided
The Great Kern River Cleanup is the premier volunteer event focused on removing trash and restoring the health of the Mighty Kern throughout Sequoia National Forest. This cleanup is an annual event coordinated by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and this statewide effort—coordinated by the Sierra Nevada Alliance, in conjunction with California Coastal Cleanup Day—serves to promote good stewardship on all of our waterways, from the source at 14,000 ft., to the sea, the Pacific Ocean.
Hundreds of community groups have spread across 22 counties and over 2,200 river miles to pull appliances, cigarette butts, beverage cans, baby diapers, tires, furniture, and more from the rivers and streams that supply the State of California with more than 60 percent of its water.
It's about bringing together families, neighbors, visitors and friends in a gorgeous setting to accomplish something significant and worthwhile on behalf of our environment. By volunteering, you will contribute to extricating the next 100 tons of trash from our precious waterways that provide clean water to visitors and Californians alike.
The Cleanup kicks off Sierra Nevada Watershed Protection Week, established in 2015 to highlight the importance of the Sierra Nevada Region to the entire state. More than 60% of California’s developed water supply originates in the Sierra Nevada and millions of visitors travel to the Sierra to hike, camp, and sightsee. Whether you think of Tahoe, Yosemite, Mammoth, or the Giant Sequoias — the Sierra connects us all.
The Great Kern River Cleanup is about much more than picking up trash. From the Sierra headwaters nearly 12,000 feet above sea level to the water we rely on downstream, the Kern is part of a watershed that connects us all. Protecting this river helps protect clean water and healthy rivers for communities throughout California.
By coming together with your family, neighbors, friends, and fellow river lovers, you can take a simple, meaningful action for a resource that matters far beyond the riverbank. The Cleanup is an opportunity to learn about California’s water source, care for a place we all love, and help keep trash from traveling downstream toward the Pacific. In just one morning, we can accomplish something vital and worthy on behalf of our great Sierra rivers.
11th Annual Clean Up
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
The Great Kern River Cleanup is the premier volunteer event focused on removing trash and restoring the health of the Mighty Kern throughout Sequoia National Forest. This cleanup is an annual event coordinated by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and this statewide effort—coordinated by the Sierra Nevada Alliance, in conjunction with California Coastal Cleanup Day—serves to promote good stewardship on all of our waterways, from the source at 14,000 ft., to the sea, the Pacific Ocean.
Registration: 9:30am - 10:00am
Event time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
What to Bring: Dress for the day's weather and outdoor terrain, and bring a backpack with water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Lunch and supplies will be provided
Location: Click here for Google Maps
⬇️Register Here⬇️
I understand and agree as follows: 1. I am volunteering my services for KERN RIVER CONSERVANCY; 2. I will perform only those tasks assigned, observe all safety rules, and use reasonable care in the performance of my assignments; 3. I acknowledge that I am engaging in this activity as a volunteer and not as an employee, agent, official, officer or representative, and further acknowledge that I am not entitled to any compensation, benefit or insurance coverage from Kern River Conservancy, the State of California, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Kern County Public Works, Kern County Parks, or any agent thereof including any Event promoter, sponsor, or organizer.
I understand and agree that Event Sponsors/organizers and their respective employees, officers, agents or assigns (collectively referred to as “Released Parties”), are not to be held liable or responsible in any way for any injury, death or other damages to me or my family, heirs, or assigns that may occur as a result of my participation in the Event, or as a result of product liability or the negligence, whether passive or active, of any party, including Released Parties, in connection with the Event. Released Parties include, but are not limited to, the following:
KERN RIVER CONSERVANCY, UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, KERN COUNTY PARKS, KERN COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS, KEEP KERN BEAUTIFUL, SIERRA NEVADA ALLIANCE AND EXPLORE US.
I understand and agree to assume the risks related to cleaning up beaches or inland water areas, including but not limited to, the risks of possible injury, infection, and loss of life as a result of contact with needles, condoms, metal objects, burning embers and other hazardous materials, wild animals, and poisonous plants; as well as the risks from overexertion and environmental conditions, including but not limited to wave activity, flooding, rockslides, sun exposure, and dangerous terrain.
I understand and agree to assume the risks related to the use of any watercraft, whether as an operator or passenger, including but not limited to risks related to marine facilities, fuels and lubricants, weather, tides and other water movement, operational proficiency, overexertion by myself or others on the craft, collisions, and conditions such as water temperature, including the risks associated with hypothermia, sun exposure, swimming proficiency, and rescue efforts.
In the circumstance of injury or illness, I authorize qualified emergency medical professionals to examine and administer emergency care to me, regardless of whether I am able to specifically agree to treatment at the time it is administered. I understand and agree to assume the risks related to medical treatment.
I HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIM OR LAWSUIT FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR WRONGFUL DEATH, BY ME, MY FAMILY, ESTATE, HEIRS, OR ASSIGNS, ARISING OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT, INCLUDING CLAIMS ARISING DURING THE ACTIVITY AND AFTER I COMPLETE THE ACTIVITY, AND INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED ON NEGLIGENCE OF OTHER PARTICIPANTS OR THE RELEASED PARTIES.
I agree to allow my image to be used in published materials and websites that promote the programs of the KERN RIVER CONSERVANCY or any programs conducted by the Released Parties.
Important: Please submit one waiver per person, including minors. Parent(s) or Legal Guardian(s) may complete on behalf of their child(ren).
Participant Information:
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”.
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