River Clean Up

It’s that time again! UGRA is holding an art contest for Kerr County students K – 12 to design the 2023 River Clean Up T-shirt.

The entry deadline is May 12, 2023.  The theme for this year is “Let’s Get River Trash TWO ZERO!” Since it’s the 20th annual River Clean Up, design your artwork with that in mind. Please incorporate elements in your design related to how you could work in your community to keep our Guadalupe River clean and healthy.

The winner of the contest will receive a $100 prize and the winner’s design and name will be placed on the 2023 River Clean Up T-Shirt.  Also, the winner will be recognized by the UGRA Board of Directors and have their artwork displayed on the UGRA web page.  The artist with the second place design will receive $50 and the artist with the third place design will receive $25.

For guidelines and the entry form, please see the following link:

2023 River Clean Up Art Contest Entry Form

We look forward to seeing all the entries for this year’s contest!

The Upper Guadalupe River Authority has scheduled the 20th annual River Clean Up for Saturday, July 22, 2023. The headquarters for the Clean Up will be at Flat Rock Park in Kerrville. Directions to Flat Rock Park are below.

Volunteers will have the option of arriving at Flat Rock Park at 8:00 am for registration, instructions, and assignments, or you may register, either online or with a physical form, by Friday, July 7th. Follow the link below to register online or email me for a printable form – or come by UGRA at 125 Lehmann Dr. to fill out a form. Groups and individuals are invited to participate in the River Clean Up. If you choose to register by July 7th, you can pick up your supplies the Monday-Thursday before the event and then go directly to your assigned Clean Up location on the morning of July 22nd.

Link to Online Registration (Before July 7th)

All volunteers should return to Flat Rock Park with their trash by 11:00 am for refreshments and the distribution of awards for the most unusual item and the biggest item. Additional garbage drop off locations will be at Guadalupe Park, Louise Hays Park near kayak kiosk, and Lion’s Park near the Center Point Dam. All participants will be entered into a prize drawing and the first 300 registered volunteers will receive an official 20th annual River Clean Up t-shirt. We will guarantee your requested t-shirt size if you register before June 30, 2023. Additional t-shirts will be given away on a first come basis the morning of the clean up.

Even though the River Clean Up is being staged at one location, volunteers will spread out to clean up locations throughout the Guadalupe River watershed in Kerr County including dry creek beds, drainage ditches, bridges, and roadways.

What should you bring to the River Clean Up?

Although the River Clean Up is a lot of fun, it is also hard work and you should plan accordingly. Wear a hat and light weight clothing to protect you from the heat and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Wear leather work gloves. UGRA will have a limited quantity of work gloves available for volunteers to borrow, but please bring your own if you can. Wear clothing and shoes that are appropriate for getting wet and dirty. Also, protect yourself from the sun and bugs by applying sunscreen and insect repellent as needed. Bring your own chairs, picnic blankets, or popup tents for relaxing during the event wrap up and prize drawing.

Supplies to aid in the River Clean Up are provided by many generous local sponsors.

We would like to hear your thoughts on the River Clean Up so we can work to make the next event even better.  Please complete this short survey – it should take less than 5 minutes!  Your responses will be anonymous.

Contact Matthew Wilkinson with questions about the River Clean Up (rivercleanup@ugra.org; 830-896-5445).