SOLANO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Despite a chilly morning with cloud cover and scattered rain, 212 dedicated volunteers came together across Solano County to make a significant difference at the annual Earth Day Cleanup.

Volunteers spanned 11 sites and covered eight miles across the county, working tirelessly to remove 3,603 pounds of trash and another 135 pounds of recyclables. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the county-wide event and brings the total amount of trash and recyclables collected over the years to a remarkable 63,381 pounds.

The cleanup effort showcased the multiplying effect of community collaboration. Marianne Butler, Solano Resource Conservation District Education Director, noted the inspiring scene.

“Downtown Vacaville’s Earth Day cleanup was made powerful by the collective effort of groups from the Academy of the 21st Century Learning, Target, Amazon and many others,” Butler said.

She related witnessing the immediate impact when Gabe A., a young man born and raised in Vacaville, saw the volunteers on the Ulatis Creek bank and didn’t hesitate to put down his coffee, register and join them, sharing that he had been waiting for this opportunity.

“That’s the true spirit of Earth Day,” Butler said. “Let’s make more of these moments happen, together.”

Emma Mendiola hosted the Vacaville site and has been the site captain for more than a decade. This year, as in years past, she handed out Lara bars to all participants, with thanks to the Sierra Club of Solano County and Sprouts Farmers Market for making them available.

Jose, a Vallejo resident, waded right in to collect trash in a storm drain outfall. He has previously volunteered for cleanup events in Solano County (as evidenced by a Coastal Cleanup Day shirt) and was glad to participate again for this year’s Earth Day event. He was happy to utilize a burlap sack from Moschetti Artisan Coffee Roaster in Vallejo for his collection, who donates the sacks to help minimize waste from the event.

The event drew volunteers with a variety of motivations. Marsha, an enthusiastic volunteer at the Grizzly Island Road site hosted by Solano Land Trust, even makes her own trash pick-up sticks to use.

“I have wanted to do a clean-up with a team or group. I was always so busy, was never able to do it and usually clean up when I go fishing. I have never joined an Earth Day team or event before,” she said.

Jane S., a volunteer at the Industrial Pond site in Dixon, expressed her commitment to the community, stating, "I love being able to help my community be a cleaner and healthier place."

Common finds during the cleanup included discarded recyclable glass and aluminum beverage containers, food wrappers, cigarette butts, and single-use plastics.

The Earth Day Cleanup is one of three annual county-wide cleanup efforts coordinated by Solano County agencies and cities in partnership with Solano Resource Conservation District. Having consistent annual events such as the Earth Day Cleanup is important as these ongoing efforts provide opportunities for each generation to contribute to a cleaner environment, ensuring that trash is removed before it can pollute local waterways and ultimately reach the ocean.

Those who missed this opportunity or who loved it and want to come back for more can join at Lake Solano for World Environment Day on June 7. The family-friendly event not only focuses on cleaning up the shoreline of a major water source for Solano County, Lake Berryessa, but also includes fun activities for volunteers such as planting grass plugs and forbs and making seed packets to attract pollinators to their gardens.

Lunch and cold drinks will be available June 7 to all registered volunteers, who will also receive a commemorative T-shirt. In addition, there will be guided kayak tours of Lake Solano and the opportunity to meet Bilgee the Bilge Pad, the protector of Lake Berryessa, who will encourage volunteers and pose for pictures. Learn more about these cleanups at cleanupsolano.org.

The 2025 Solano County Earth Day Cleanup is sponsored by Solano County Department of Resource Management with additional support provided by the Sierra Club Solano Group, Sprouts Farmers Market in Vacaville, Solano Volunteers-CVNL, 95.3 KUIC, Grizzly Waters Kayaking, and the California Coastal Commission.

Cleanup partners include Solano County Parks, Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, Vallejo Watershed Alliance, Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District, City of Benicia, City of Dixon, City of Vacaville, Solano Land Trust and volunteer site leaders.