Annual Watershed Cleanups
Residents of the Gallatin Valley live in a headwaters community and are fortunate to be the first to enjoy and use this water. However, 15 out of the 23 streams in the Lower Gallatin Watershed do not meet water quality standards. Removing trash and waste from our rivers, wetlands, trails, and roadsides enhances the quality of water, soil, and habitat for both people and wildlife in our watershed, benefiting our downstream neighbors all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Each year, the Gallatin Watershed Council hosts three cleanup events: the Bozeman Dog Poop Cleanup and the Spring and Fall Gallatin Watershed Cleanups. Volunteer teams spread out across the Lower Gallatin Watershed, from the Gallatin Canyon to Missouri Headwaters State Park, to pick up trash and waste. We invite you to join us in watershed stewardship!
Bozeman Dog Poop Cleanup
It’s no secret that Bozeman has a poo problem. When the snow starts to melt on our local trails, many of our furry friends’ treasures are unveiled, both bagged and unbagged and stormwater sends those harmful nutrients into our rivers and streams. In late spring, volunteers conquer a variety of trails including Drinking Horse, Gallatin County Regional Park, Sourdough Canyon, and more. This event is in partnership with Gallatin Valley Land Trust and Outside Kind.
Gallatin Watershed Cleanups - Spring and Fall
Volunteer teams disperse across the Gallatin Valley, cleaning rivers and streams, riparian areas, wetlands and roadsides that experience heavy use or are recommended by the public. These are community events that keep our watershed clean and prevent trash and stormwater from further compromising the quality of our beloved rivers and streams!
The Spring Cleanup occurs in May before peak flows, and the Fall Cleanup in September after a busy recreation season. Participants can volunteer as team leaders or members, and all volunteers are encouraged to record the strangest thing they find to be eligible to win a prize. The cleanups are followed by a celebration that includes delicious food, beer, and fun prizes from event sponsors. Hundreds of volunteers remove thousands of pounds of trash annually.
The Fall Gallatin Watershed Cleanup is in partnership with the Gallatin River Task Force, where volunteers remove trash from the entire Gallatin Watershed, from Big Sky to Bozeman and beyond.
