River & Property Cleanups
Hands-on cleanups of the river channel and surrounding public lands — the heart of what we do.
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San Joaquin River · Fresno & Madera Counties
Together we clean, restore & protect our rivers.
River Tree Volunteers sponsors river cleanups, canoe trips, hikes, and habitat restoration along the San Joaquin — powered entirely by neighbors like you.
8,444tires pulled from the river
32 tonsof trash hauled out yearly
75 milesof river trail in progress
Our impact
The river gives. We give back.
Every number below was carried out of the river bottom by hand — one tire, one trash bag, one Saturday morning at a time.
8,444Tires removed from the San Joaquin River — and counting
150+Tires pulled out in an average year
32Tons of trash removed yearly, much of it from abandoned encampments
75Miles of the San Joaquin River Trail, Lake Millerton to Reds Meadow
What we do
Six ways we care for the river
From hauling tires out of the water to building the trail that will one day run from the valley floor to the high Sierra.
Canoe Trips & Hikes
Guided paddles and hikes that connect Central Valley families with their river.
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Habitat Restoration
We initiated — and still maintain — several native habitat restoration projects along the river.
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Trail Building
Helping construct the 75-mile San Joaquin River Trail and the Small Fry Trail at Friant Fish Hatchery.
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Adopt-A-Park
Through Fresno City's Adopt-A-Park program, we help maintain the River Bottom Park Trail.
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Weed & Graffiti Removal
Targeted invasive weed removal and graffiti cleanup that keep public spaces welcoming.
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Featured project
A trail from the valley to the high Sierra
We're part of the effort to build the San Joaquin River Trail — 75 miles from Lake Millerton to Reds Meadow. When complete, it will link Central Valley neighborhoods to some of the most beautiful country in California.
- Trail construction alongside agency partners
- Built the Small Fry Trail at Friant Fish Hatchery
- Ongoing maintenance of the River Bottom Park Trail
Why it matters
8,444 tires didn't leave the river on their own.
Each one was found, dug out, floated to shore, and hauled up the bank by a volunteer. We still pull roughly 150 tires and 32 tons of trash out of the San Joaquin every year — most of it now from abandoned encampments.
More hands mean cleaner water, safer parks, and a river the whole Valley can be proud of.
Get involved
Ready to get your boots muddy?
No experience needed — just show up. Cleanups, paddles, and trail days are family-friendly and open to everyone in the Central Valley.
