BREN volunteers took to the Boise River to tackle the trash and they made quite the haul. The adventurous crews launched kayaks, rafts, SUPs, canoes, IKs, float tubes and a catamaran armed with indestructible orange bags donated by Brady Industries. They stuffed cans, glass and plastic bottles, t-shirts, underware, cups, wrappers, lighters, balls, butts, fishing line, sunglasses, and dozens and dozens of shoes into the bags. Bigger items including rugs, road construction signs, a shopping cart, chairs, pipes, sleeping bags, and paddles were piled high in the garbage scows. A scooter that was pulled out of the water by Broadway Bridge was returned curbside in working order.
Flotilla #1 floated from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park on August 30. Flotilla #2 floated from Willow Lane Park to Glenwood Bridge on Sept. 3. Flotilla #3 floated from West Park Center bridge to Ann Morrison Park on Sept. 20. Lots of trash was found on the heavily-used beaches, and there were many super eddies that were like mini-landfills full of mossy flips flops, balls and bottles. There’s plenty of trash still out there, so don’t hesitate to grab a hefty bag and pick up trash on your own.
Big thank to our partners – Ada County Extension, Boise Parks and Recreation, Brady Industries, GEICO of Treasure Valley and the Idaho Conservation League.
Thanks to Our Volunteers
Flotilla Crew #1 – Dale Reynolds, Roger Rosentreter, Adam Bass, Jeff Sharples, Julia Page, Kristin Haustveit and Meg Fereday
Flotilla Crew #2 – Dale Reynolds, Roger Rosentreter, Zack and Molly Autin, Adam Bass, Dave Kordiyak, Jeff Sharples and Mark Utting
Flotilla Crew #3 – Kristin Raese, Jacob Anderson, Nicole Lasich, Maureen O’Leary, Adam Bass, John and Anne Olden, Erin Zaleski, Marie Kellner, Thom Hearne, Chris Denker and Louisa Evers.
