Riverside County Watershed Protection

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

Missed out on volunteering for Earth Day? Here’s your chance to jump back in and make an impact with two cleanup opportunities happening this Saturday, May 16 in Riverside County.

Join the City of Corona for the Skyline Cleanup on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Check-in begins at 8:30 AM and the event runs from 9:00–11:00 AM at Skyline Dr, Corona, CA 92882. This family-friendly cleanup will focus on Skyline and surrounding neighborhoods. Gloves, safety vests, and water will be provided. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty.

At the same time, Inland Empire Waterkeeper is hosting a cleanup at Hole Lake in Riverside from 8:30–11:30 AM. Please arrive at 8:15 AM. The site is located near 6697 Geranium Pl, Riverside, CA 92503. Supplies will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring water, snacks, and sun protection.
Two locations, one day, plenty of ways to get involved. Register for the Skyline Cleanup at www.CoronaCA.gov/Registration and learn more about the Hole Lake cleanup at iewaterkeeper.org/cleanups.

To stay in the loop for other volunteer opportunities, visit https://loveyourneighborhood.us

May is a great time to start planting vegetable seeds and set your garden up for a productive season ahead.

According to the UC Master Gardeners of Riverside, this month is ideal for sowing beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, okra, parsley, parsnips, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, all types of squash, and tomatoes.

With proper care, many of these crops will begin producing in summer and continue through early fall. Fast-growing vegetables like radishes and beans can be ready in as little as 4 to 8 weeks, while crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, and pumpkins will mature later in the season, typically mid to late summer.

Planting the right crops at the right time also supports watershed protection. Healthy, thriving gardens use water more efficiently and often require less fertilizer and fewer chemical inputs. That means less runoff carrying excess nutrients and pollutants into our local waterways.

A well-planned vegetable garden helps you grow more food while also caring for the environment around you.

Mt. Rubidoux is one of Riverside County’s most beloved hiking spots, offering beautiful views and a great outdoor escape for the community.

To help keep it clean and enjoyable for everyone, there are dog waste bag stations available at both the base and the summit of the trail. If you’re hiking with your dog, grabbing a bag on your way up helps protect the natural beauty of the area and keeps the trail pleasant for all visitors.

A small step goes a long way in preserving this special place for everyone to enjoy.

Request a free canister from RCWatershed.com

May is a great time to refresh your garden with color while also supporting a healthier watershed.

According to the UC Master Gardeners of Riverside, flowers like marigolds, zinnias, snapdragons, sunflowers, hollyhocks, dahlias, lobelia, salvia, and cosmos are excellent choices to plant this month.

Choosing the right plants helps you garden smarter. Many of these flowers are well-suited for our local climate, meaning they can thrive with less water and fewer inputs like fertilizer. That not only makes your garden easier to maintain, but also helps reduce runoff that can carry excess nutrients and pollutants into our waterways.

A well-planned garden is more than beautiful, it’s part of protecting our watershed.

Why is it important to scoop the p**p? It is one of the simplest ways to help protect our community and local waterways.

When pet waste is left on the ground, it can be washed by rain into storm drains and carried into nearby creeks and rivers, where it contributes to water pollution. Pet waste can also contain harmful bacteria and parasites that may spread to people, pets, and wildlife.

Beyond water quality and health, picking up after pets helps keep parks, sidewalks, and neighborhoods clean and enjoyable for everyone.

That is why we are inviting students to help spread the message through our student art contest! Create your own DIY “Scoop the Poop” yard sign to encourage neighbors to be responsible pet owners. The goal is simple: inspire action and keep our communities clean.

The best yard sign will win a $200 gift card to the retailer of their choice.

To enter, visit: https://qrco.de/clean-the-streets