Celebrating Community Action: Family South Platte Stewardship Day & High School Volunteer Day

This past Saturday was a day of community, fun, and giving back at Johnson Habitat Park! We hosted our Family South Platte Stewardship Day alongside our High School Volunteer Day, and we’re thrilled to share that over 65 dedicated individuals—families, teens, and community members—came out to support our efforts. From the youngest volunteers to our enthusiastic high schoolers, it was a heartwarming day of giving back to our river and nature.

Families Kicking off the Day

The event began with our Family South Platte Stewardship Day, led by our rockstar team from South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE). For the first hour, families and their little ones spread out along the river to pick up trash. The joy of seeing the next generation actively caring for our environment was inspiring!

After the hard work, we gathered together for some crafty fun. The kids created adorable paper bag scarecrows and lively beaver puppets, celebrating both the fall season and the wildlife that calls the South Platte River home. There was laughter, creativity, and time to play at the park’s playground—an ideal way to wrap up a meaningful morning of giving back.

Teens Taking Action in the Afternoon

As the families finished up, our high school volunteers took over for the next round of stewardship. These energetic teens jumped right into trash removal and also tackled the critical task of pulling invasive plant species from the park, helping to restore the natural balance of the park’s riparian habitat.

Across three hours of hard work, both the family volunteers and high schoolers collected a staggering 700 gallons of trash from Johnson Habitat Park! Their efforts made a visible difference and highlighted how powerful community action can be in protecting and preserving our local natural spaces.

A Successful Day for the South Platte

We’re incredibly proud of our volunteers for their dedication to keeping the South Platte River clean and healthy. Events like this remind us that even small actions—like picking up litter or removing invasive plants—can add up to make a big impact. Thank you to everyone who came out, worked hard, and had fun while contributing to the betterment of our park and river.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved and continue this crucial stewardship of the South Platte. Together, we can make a lasting difference!