Klamath River Cleanup Happening on Saturday, April 25

Yurok citizen Sam Gensaw is the fish cook in this picture. [Photo provided by the Yurok Tribe in 2019]

All are invited to the 25th Annual Klamath River Cleanup on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Klamath, Weitchpec and Wautec. The Yurok Tribe Environmental Department and Clean California-sponsored event is from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at all three locations.

Volunteers will receive morning snacks and the always delicious traditionally cooked salmon lunch with homemade sides and a drink. All participants will also receive a commemorative T-shirt and be entered for a chance to win awesome raffle prizes from local businesses. The Yurok Environmental Crew always puts special care into the salmon lunch and side dishes as a way to thank and honor everyone for their hard work.

“The Klamath River Cleanup would not be possible without the community and volunteers’ involvement. The health of the Klamath River is a direct reflection of the health of the Yurok people, making this an important event for the tribe,” said Interim Yurok Tribe Environmental Department Director Amanda Martinez.

Rain or shine, volunteers at all three sites will help remove litter from the Klamath River’s riparian zone. Keeping this ecologically sensitive area pristine benefits anadromous fish, such as salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and Pacific lamprey. It also aids the many terrestrial wildlife species that reside in the lower Klamath watershed, including beavers, egrets and bears.

The Klamath River Cleanup typically draws more than 250 participants. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Klamath Tribal office, Weitchpec tribal office and Wautec Firehouse. The Yurok Tribe encourages community members to wear boots and clothing suitable for getting dirty.

After the Klamath event, there will be a special screening of Sequoias of the Sea, an inspiring new 54-minute documentary that chronicles Northern California communities grappling with the loss of nearly 95% of the region’s kelp forests, which represents a major ecological crisis. Through stunning visuals and powerful storytelling, the film focuses on fishermen, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and coastal residents, who are working together to understand what went wrong and urgently restore this critical underwater ecosystem, safeguarding both livelihoods and marine life.

Sponsored by the Yurok Marine Department, the screening begins at 1:00 p.m. and will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A. Sequoias of the Sea brings renewed attention to the dramatic transformation of California’s North Coast, where the collapse of bull kelp forests has reshaped once-thriving ecosystems, while highlighting the collaborative efforts offering hope for recovery..

The Klamath Tribal office is located at 190 Klamath Blvd., Klamath, CA 95548 and the Weitchpec Tribal office is just above the confluence of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers on CA-96, Weitchpec, CA 95546. The Wautec Firehouse is located at the end of CA Highway 169.

For more information about the Klamath River Cleanup, please contact Tarah Balden at (707) 458-5581 or [email protected]