Riverside County Watershed Protection

It’s National Oceans Month! Today is a reminder that what happens inland doesn’t stay inland.
The Santa Ana River Santa Ana River runs right through Riverside County and eventually makes its way to the Pacific Ocean. That connection is exactly why watershed protection matters. Everything upstream, from stormwater to everyday pollutants, can travel downstream and impact ocean health.
Through local efforts like the Riverside County Watershed Protection program, we help keep our waterways cleaner from source to sea.

Riverside County high school students can become Watershed Leaders of Tomorrow by hosting a cleanup in their community.
Organize one on your own, with friends, or with a class or club. Clean up a park, neighborhood, trail, or local waterway and help protect the places we all share.
🎉 What you can earn:
👕 Free t-shirt for every student who hosts a cleanup
🍕 Pizza party for participating classes or clubs
💳 One individual, class, or club will win a $200 gift card
You do not need to register ahead of time. Just complete your cleanup and submit the form afterward to be eligible for prizes.
Submit your cleanup here: bit.ly/RC-Watershed-Leader
Need ideas or planning help? View our Student Cleanup Guide for additional resources: bit.ly/HS-Student-Cleanup-Guide

Garden Know-How Series: Getting Started Right
Do you know the difference between direct seed and transplant?
Direct seeding is when you plant a seed straight into the ground where it will grow for its full life cycle. Plants like zinnias, sunflowers, alyssum, celosia, and marigolds often thrive this way because they prefer not to have their roots disturbed.
Transplanting is when a plant is started in a tray or small pot and then moved into the garden once it is more established. Tomatoes, peppers, and many herbs are common transplants because they benefit from a strong early start in a controlled environment.
Understanding which method to use helps plants grow with less stress and higher success rates, which means healthier gardens that need fewer replacements, less excess watering, and fewer inputs overall.
That matters for watershed protection here in Riverside County. Well-established, properly planted gardens are less likely to contribute to runoff from overwatering or excess fertilizers, helping keep our local waterways cleaner and healthier.

Last month, we hosted our first-ever Clean the Streets Yard Sign Art Contest art tables at four local libraries! 🎨🐾
If you missed the events, there's still time to participate from home.

📣 Deadline Extended! Riverside County students now have until June 15 to enter the contest.
Create a fun, eye-catching yard sign that reminds your community to scoop the p**p and help protect local waterways. One winning student will receive a $200 gift card of their choice! 💧
🗓 Deadline: June 15, 2026
📍 Open to students in grades 1–12
📸 Submit a photo of your yard sign to enter

For contest details: qrco.de/clean-the-streets-contest
To submit your artwork: qrco.de/clean-the-streets

📣 Deadline Extended! Riverside County students now have until June 15 to enter their yard signs into our contest 🎨🐾
Create a fun, eye-catching sign that reminds your community to scoop the p**p and help protect local waterways 💧 One winning student will receive a $200 gift card of their choice!
🗓 New Deadline: June 15, 2026
📍 Open to students in grades 1–12
📸 Submit a photo of your yard sign to enter
For more information, visit: https://qrco.de/clean-the-streets-contest
To submit your artwork, visit: https://qrco.de/clean-the-streets

Your sprinklers might be watering more than your lawn.

Overwatering doesn’t just waste water—it creates runoff that carries fertilizers, dirt, and pollutants straight into storm drains.

That runoff can:

• Trigger algal blooms
• Clog catch basins
• Pollute local waterways

Spring tip:

• Water early, water less, and check for runoff on sidewalks or gutters.
• A greener yard shouldn’t come at the cost of cleaner water.

For more tips, visit: https://rcwatershed.org/residents/at-home/overwatering/

Exciting news! In partnership with Riverside County libraries, the Riverside County Watershed Protection program is hosting arts and crafts events where students can create their own “Scoop the Poop” yard signs and enter our contest for a chance to win a $200 gift card prize! 🎨🐾 All yard sign materials and markers will be provided, so every student has a chance to participate. May the best yard sign win!
Why the contest? When dog waste is left on the ground, rain can wash it into storm drains and carry it into nearby creeks and rivers, contributing to water pollution. Dog waste can also contain harmful bacteria and parasites that may affect people, pets, and wildlife.
Library Event Dates:
🗓 SAT, 5/23 from 11 AM – 1 PM: Orange Terrace Library | 20010 Orange Terrace Pkwy, Riverside, CA 92508
🗓 SAT, 5/23 from 3 PM – 5 PM: Perris Branch Library | 163 E San Jacinto Ave, Perris, CA 92570
🗓 THUR, 5/28 from 2 PM – 4 PM: Wildomar Library | 34303 Mission Trail, Wildomar, CA 92595
🗓 SAT, 5/30 from 11 AM – 1 PM: Mecca Library | 91260 66th Ave, Mecca, CA 92254
🗓 SAT, 5/30 from 2:30-3:30PM: Cathedral City Branch Library | 33520 Date Palm Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234

🗓 Contest Deadline: May 31, 2026
📍 Open to students in grades 1–12

Help reduce pet waste in our neighborhoods and keep our community clean 🌱

For more information, visit: qrco.de/clean-the-streets-flyer
To submit your artwork, visit: qrco.de/clean-the-streets

qrco.de

Final reminder, Riverside County residents! We’d love your input. Help improve our program by taking our short Annual Survey. It only takes a few minutes and can make a big difference in what we do next.

As a thank you, one resident will be randomly selected to win a $50 gift card to a retailer of their choice.

Take the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/9CHB9N9

Deadline: May 27

Spring cleaning season is here. Have you started yet? We’re here to help make it a little easier!

It can be tricky figuring out what to keep, toss, or safely dispose of. Household hazardous waste items like old paint cans, batteries, and electronics should not go in the trash. When thrown away improperly, they can release harmful chemicals and can even pose fire risks.

Instead, take these items to a designated household hazardous waste center, where they can be handled safely by trained professionals.

Check out our full list of household hazardous waste centers by visiting:https://rcwatershed.org/household-hazardous-waste/

Did you know Riverside County has three major watersheds? Help protect them from stormwater pollution by completing our Annual Survey. Your feedback helps shape future program decisions.

As a thank you, one Riverside County resident will be randomly selected to win a $50 gift card to a retailer of their choice.

Take the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/9CHB9N9

Deadline: May 27