Solano County proudly celebrated World Environment Day on Saturday with a cleanup and restoration event hosted by the Solano Resource Conservation District that resulted in the collection of nearly 200 pounds of trash and recyclables.

With a theme of “Beat Plastic Pollution” the festivities drew 154 dedicated volunteers to Lake Solano and Lake Berryessa, both vital drinking water sources for Solano County residents and crucial to the operations of local businesses like Anheuser-Busch and Jelly Belly, as well as the county’s diverse agricultural sector. An emphasis was made on removing as much plastic debris as possible to protect against microplastic formation and the serious threat to aquatic ecosystems and water quality this kind of debris presents.  Volunteers also planted more than 300 native grass plugs to improve the ecological health of these critical watersheds.

“We are thrilled with both the turnout and the impact our volunteers made this World Environment Day,” said Robyn Slater, Event Coordinator for Solano RCD in a news release. “They eagerly took on the job of removing every bit of plastic they could find. It’s inspiring to watch collective action, even on a small scale, especially when those actions result in an immediate positive change for our environment and water resources.”

Jennifer Onufer, Parks Manager, from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), which owns Lake Berryessa as part of the Solano Project, added, “The Bureau of Reclamation is committed to the responsible stewardship of our water resources. Events like this World Environment Day cleanup, driven by passionate community volunteers and organizations like Solano RCD, are important in protecting the health of our reservoirs and ensuring clean water for all users, from agriculture to urban centers and industry.”

One can be part of the next World Environment Day event on the first Saturday in June 2026. Solano County residents can also take part in caring for their environment on Coastal Cleanup Day on September 20. That annual community workday will feature over 50 cleanup sites across Solano County joining the efforts at thousands more worldwide.