- This event has passed.
2024 Johnson Creek Clean-up!
August 17 @ 8:45 am – 1:00 pm
The Johnson Creek Clean-Up returns August 17th, 2024! This is your chance to GET IN the creek and GET OUT all the trash that has accumulated over the past year. Since 2007, volunteers like you have jumped into Johnson Creek and pulled out over 70 tons of trash from the water. Yes that’s right, over 70 tons! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get in the creek and remove litter from where it matters the most. See you there!
Arrive at your site at 8:45 am to meet your team and Creek Captain and learn how to be safe in the water. Spend ~3 hours in the creek picking up trash, then travel to Johnson Creek Park to have lunch at 12 noon.
Attention: We are having some technical difficulties with our online sign-up system. You are signed up even if you did not get a confirmation email! Reminder emails with details about your site will go out on Friday!
What: Remove trash from Johnson Creek! Get in the water or stay on land and help remove tons of trash from in and around the creek. Stick around afterward for FREE lunch, award ceremony and time to connect with your watershed community.
When: Saturday, August 17th, from 8:45 am – 1pm, including FREE lunch
Where: About a dozen sites throughout the watershed! See site descriptions below. Detailed directions to your site will be emailed to you before the event. Lunch will be at Johnson Creek Park.
How to register: Registration is open now!!
1. Carefully read the site descriptions below. Each site is different and some are more physically challenging than others.
2. Pick the site at which you want to volunteer.
3. Register for ONLY the specific site at which you will volunteer.
4. If you are coming as part of a group, each person in your group needs to register separately.
5. Check your email for site details!
How to prepare: This event will happen rain or shine, so dress for weather: rain coat, warm layers, sun hat, and sunscreen as necessary. Wear shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy. You will be walking in the creek in your shoes. We recommend light-weight shoes like sneakers, running shoes, or breathable hiking boots that will drain easily, rather than heavy boots that will stay water-logged. Do not wear sandals, crocs, etc.–it’s not safe! However, you may want to bring an extra set of footwear to change into at the end. Bring a filled water bottle and a snack.
We will provide: Gloves and all necessary tools, plus free lunch at the end of the event. We can also provide bus fare to and from the event. Please contact marlee@jcwc.org to arrange bus fare. Sorry, we cannot provide waders for this event.
Children unfortunately are not permitted. This event involves wading in deep water and contact with potentially harmful materials, such as broken glass, and is not suitable for children. Youth 14 years old and older are welcome if accompanied by an attentive adult.
Accessibility: This event may require wading in water greater than 2 feet deep (see site descriptions for details; not all sites require wading), standing for long periods, walking over uneven ground, going up or down steep slopes, bending, and lifting heavy objects. Each site has different requirements so we can accommodate most physical ability levels. If you have questions about the physical requirements of the event, please contact marlee@jcwc.org. Plus, we have jobs for every level of physical ability! If you don’t want to get your feet wet but still want to help, check out special jobs and land based sites.
Sites and Registration
Special Jobs
Helping set-up for the post-Clean-Up celebration at Johnson Creek Park. Time commitment: approximately 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Requires: standing, potentially lifting heavy objects
Register for Special Jobs here!
All our sites are full! Thank you volunteers!
In Stream Sites
92nd Upstream
Thank you volunteers!
92nd Downstream
Thank you volunteers!
82nd Upstream
Thank you volunteers!
82nd Downstream
Thank you volunteers!
Luther Road Downstream
Thank you volunteers!
Milport Upstream
Thank you volunteers!
Milport Downstream
Thank you volunteers!
Mill Park Upstream
Thank you volunteers!
Mill Park Downstream
Thank you to Precision Castparts for adopting this site!
45th Place Upstream
Thank you to Precision Castparts for adopting this site!
Tideman Johnson Upstream
Thank you to Walker Emulsions for adopting this site!
Berkeley Place Upstream
Thank you volunteers!
Errol Heights Park
Thank you volunteers!
Johnson Creek Park Upstream
Thank you volunteers!
Cedar Crossing
Thank you volunteers!
Johnson Creek Park
Thank you volunteers!
Tideman-Johnson Park
Thank you volunteers!
Foster Floodplain
Thank you volunteers!
A huge thank you to this year’s sponsors and partners. We could not do this important work with you! Thank you Clackamas Water Environment Services, Metro Regional Refresh Fund, Mintkeski Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Portland Parks and Recreation, North Clackamas Water Environment Services, City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland General Electric, Ground Score Association, SOLVE and Junk It Portland.