September 2008 Watershed Highlight of the Month

Congratulations to the South Yuba River Citizen’s League (SYRCL) for Their 25th Anniversary!

In 1983 a small group of Nevada County residents came together because of a river. Twenty-five years later the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is one of the most successful watershed organizations in the country. To celebrate this 25th anniversary, SYRCL (pronounced ‘circle) is throwing a free community celebration called “SYRCL Soleil”, Saturday, September 20, 1:00-7:00pm at Pioneer Park in Nevada City. The Great Yuba CleanUp will take place in the morning, 9:00am – noon.

SYRCL’s History

The plan in 1983 seemed simple enough: get together a few friends, make some signs, and protest the threat of a dam being built on the beautiful Yuba River. But in the end it took 16 years of planning, organizing, running bake sales and rock concerts, marching in parades, mobilizing thousands of dedicated volunteers, as well as developing an increasingly sophisticated political awareness, before the Yuba was finally protected from dam threats with the passage of Wild and Scenic status in 1999.

SYRCL’s continues its work to protect and restore the Yuba River through its education, science, and membership-based programs. They work with close to 1,000 community volunteers each year in their river monitoring programs, river cleanup and restoration days, and the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival. SYRCL’s current campaigns include the restoration of the Yuba’s native fish population, most notably the chinook salmon.

The Event

For 11 years, SYRCL has been hosting the Great Yuba CleanUp, collecting nearly 75,000 pounds of trash and recyclables with over 3,500 volunteers. On Saturday, September 20, 9:00am – noon, SYRCL will again host the Great Yuba CleanUp on over 30 sites in the Yuba and Bear River watersheds, and the Wolf and Deer Creek watersheds. Pre-registration for the cleanup is required.

SYRCL Soleil kicks off at 1:00pm and is a FREE event for the entire family. Music takes place on the Amphitheatre stage at Pioneer Park beginning at 1:00pm and will feature local entertainers including the DeadBeats, Buck Love and the Humperheads, The Power of 12, Cheatin’ Buzzies, Sabroso, Haute Trash ecofashion and more to be announced soon. The event features guest speakers from SYRCL’s 25–year history, a kids’ area with games and crafts, food vendors, group projects, a SYRCL history area, a beer and wine garden, and surprises throughout the day. The kids’ area will also feature a “Salmon Dance” tent with storytelling and interactive programs.

The Great Yuba CleanUp will take place that morning, 9am-noon. To volunteer for either or both events, please contact Miriam, (530) 265-5961 x201 miriam@syrcl.org

Support SYRCL at www.syrcl.org!