After a seven-year hiatus, paddlers and volunteers will return to the Medina River Aug. 22 for the 20th annual Medina River Cleanup, an effort to remove debris from about 40 miles of river in Bandera County.
The cleanup's return comes as the Medina River is flowing again after years of drought and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also follows major flooding in July that swept large amounts of man-made debris into the river, along its banks and around road crossings.
Without the debris left by that flooding, organizers say there would be little to clean up after the river's extended period of low water.
Paddlers from throughout Texas and local residents are expected to gather near the dam in Bandera for the cleanup, which will cover the river from Moffet Park in Medina to English Crossing on State Highway 1283.
The event will mark the 20th cleanup since the effort became an annual event in 2001.
Paddlers should register at 9 a.m. at the 11th Street entrance to Bandera City Park. Participants planning to paddle are asked to bring their own canoes and contact one of the seven section heads before cleanup day to arrange for a shuttle and coordinate a safe trip.
Kayaks also are available from the Medina River Company on Main Street in Bandera. Those interested can call owner Colby Miller at 830-796-3600.
Volunteers who plan to collect trash at river crossings or work from land can register from 10 a.m. to noon at the 11th Street entrance to Bandera City Park.
All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a taco at registration, while supplies last.
The cleanup will conclude with a barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. near the dam. Lee and Karen Haile will provide live music.
The event is sponsored by the Lake Medina Conservation Society, Texas Rivers Protection Association, Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District, Bandera County Commissioners Court, City of Bandera, Bandera Economic Development Corp., Lowe’s Market Bandera, Johnny Boyle Jr., Bandera Wine & Spirits, Bandera True Value, Bandera Pioneer RV River Resort, H-E-B Grocery Stores, the Medina River Company and Don’t Make Waste Bandera.
The Medina River Protection Fund was established in 2005 as a public charity to support the cleanup effort into the future. Bobby Harris serves as president and Don Sloan is treasurer.
Tax-deductible donations to support the organization can be sent to the Medina River Protection Fund, P.O. Box 417, Lakehills, TX 78063.
Bob Brischetto, a cleanup coordinator, can be reached at [email protected] or 210-413-7264.
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