On Wednesday, May 14th, around 500 students from across the Kenai Peninsula will roll up their sleeves to help protect one of Alaska’s most cherished waterways during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.
Organized by the Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA), the event brings together youth from Sterling Elementary, Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, Mountain View Elementary, and Kenai schools, along with students from several homeschool groups in the Soldotna area.
The cleanup focuses on seven public access points along the Kenai River—high-traffic fishing spots that often accumulate debris during the year. Students will collect everything from discarded fishing lines to old tires, helping preserve the habitat for salmon and other species vital to the river’s ecosystem.
Since the program began in 2014, nearly 4,000 students have removed more than 19,000 pounds of trash, reinforcing the event’s role not just in conservation but in environmental education.
“We want to make sure that these kids understand where our baby salmon live,” said Shannon Martin, Executive Director of KRSA. “This is their backyard. This is their playground. By having them come to the public access sites along the Kenai, they’re able to help take care of the river.”
Martin emphasized that instilling stewardship values in young Alaskans is a core part of KRSA’s mission. “Education is one of our primary goals through the association,” she said.
Students participating in the cleanup will be equipped with life preservers, gloves, sharps containers, and trash bags to ensure safety while they work.
For more information, to get involved, or for educators wishing to register their classes, contact KRSA at (907) 262-8588.