Traditions are important. They help communities hold onto what matters most and pass those values forward. Our annual Gallatin River Cleanup is one of those traditions. Every year, friends, neighbors, and visitors come together to care for the river that sustains our way of life.
The Gallatin River faces an ongoing challenge. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10.3 billion pieces of litter are found along U.S. roadways each year, and highway 191 is part of that. While trash is an eyesore, its impacts go far beyond appearance. Litter can clog waterways, increase the risk of flooding, and pose serious threats to river ecosystems, including to the fish and wildlife that call the Gallatin home. By picking up trash, we are not just tidying up for our own aesthetic purposes, but protecting a clean and wild river.
In 2024, over 287 volunteers came together to collect 4,604 pounds of trash—that is more than 2.3 tons! Their effort made a powerful impact on keeping our river and community clean. Our volunteers remind us that real change starts with everyday actions, and that one person’s effort can ripple out to benefit an entire watershed. This year, we are setting our sights even higher as we hope to set a new trash collection record.
This September 5-7, we invite you to be part of our tradition. With 33 different sites to choose from—ranging from Spanish Creek down to Yellowstone National Park—we are excited to kick off another year of the Gallatin River Cleanup with our friends at Gallatin Watershed Council.
Whether you are a repeat or are a new volunteer, your time and efforts will make a huge impact. Together, we can ensure that the Gallatin remains a place worth cherishing for us and for the generations who will treasure it for years to come.
Please click below to register for the 2025 Gallatin River Cleanup and reach out to Leigh Lyter with any questions at conservation@gallatinrivertaskforce.org
Also, folks in the Bozeman area are encouraged to attend the Gallatin Watershed Council’s cleanup on Saturday, September 6th from 2-4pm, click here for more info about their cleanup.
