Last Updated on January 30, 2024
The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff is committed to safe, clean, enjoyable creeks and rivers but we need YOU to help us protect and preserve area natural resources for future generations. One action you can take is to join the River Authority and the San Antonio River Foundation by becoming a River Warrior. This program aims to build a volunteer community that supports and strives toward healthy waterways for the benefit of the flora, fauna, and people of the San Antonio River Basin. There are many other ways you can get involved and Be River Proud! We want to highlight your positive actions, so please share with us pictures or videos of you and your loved ones on social media using #BeRiverProud. Once a month, we’ll feature your stories on our blog.
This month we’re featuring the volunteers who joined us for a trash cleanup in celebration of National Public Lands Day during the River Authority’s Inaugural River Symposium on September 25, 2021. We’re also highlighting an area school that took part in a recent field trip with our Education and Engagement team to learn about water quality!
National Public Lands Day
The River Authority hosted our Inaugural River Symposium September 24-26, 2021 where the public took part in presentations, park tours, activities, a kayaking event, and volunteer opportunities to learn, celebrate, network, and explore the San Antonio River Basin. Thanks to the help from the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, our registered River Warrior volunteers set out to collect trash at the City’s Olmos Basin Park. Within three hours, 1,000 pounds of litter was collected! Items that were picked up included single-use plastic, Styrofoam, and even household items like pillows. Special guest Chad Pregracke of Living Lands and Waters kicked off the event with inspiring words to those in attendance.
River Authority Water Quality Education Efforts
Next up is CAST Tech School of the San Antonio Independent School District. Last month, science teacher Kendra Garza signed up for a field trip with the River Authority’s Education and Engagement Team to be held at Acequia Park, which is along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River Walk. Students learned that the biggest threat to the health of area creeks and rivers is untreated rainwater that goes into storm drains and directly to creeks and rivers, which is also known as stormwater runoff. By using our watershed model, the students learned about actions they can take to help protect and preserve the San Antonio River Basin for future generations. Thank you CAST Tech School for showing your river pride!
Don’t Let Litter Trash Your River!
Get involved by taking the pledge to reduce litter and protect your area creeks and rivers. Visit our website to access resources like our volunteer toolkit and take the San Antonio River Authority’s Trash Challenge by downloading the Litterati app and using challenge code SARIVER. And, don’t forget to start a discussion on your social networks by using the social media toolkit!
Show us your river pride for a chance to be featured on our blog!
- Engage in activity showing river pride such as: recreating along the San Antonio River, showing your stewardship for the San Antonio River, and using sustainability practices at your home. To find more examples, read Show Your River Pride and What You Can Do at River Authority parks.
- Post a picture of your activity on social media!
- Tag @sanantonioriver
- Include #beriverproud
