USIBWC's Adopt-a-River Program enables community groups to participate in the promotion of a litter-free Rio Grande. Community groups sign a contract to adopt a section of the river and promising to conduct several river cleanups each year. USIBWC will pick up filled trash bags the following work day after the cleanup, and USIBWC will post signs stating the community group has adopted that section of the river. The Adopt-a-River Program is currently operating in USIBWC's Upper Rio Grande project area, from from Percha Diversion Dam in New Mexico downstream to the tri-county line at the southern end of Hudspeth County, Texas.

Currently, we have 5 groups signed up. If you are interested in adopting a portion of the river, please contact the Adopt-a-River Coordinator.

Adopted River Segments

Segment	Community Group
Riverside Dam (El Paso, TX)	Ysleta del Sur Pueblo
Old McNutt Refinery property in El Paso, TX to Sunland Park Drive, NM	Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest
Country Club Road to Borderland (El Paso, TX)	Texas Master Naturalists
Chicken Farm Road through Vinton Bridge to Anthony Drain (Vinton, Texas)	Village of Vinton, Texas
Mesilla Dam to Calle del Norte Bridge (Mesilla, NM)	Southwest Environmental Center

Adopt-a-River Contacts

USIBWC Adopt-a-River Coordinator -
TEXAS
Elizabeth Verdecchia
USIBWC Texas Clean Rivers Program
(915) 832-4701
email

USIBWC Adopt-a-River Coordinator -
NEW MEXICO
Rebecca Utley
USIBWC Environmental Management Div.
(915) 832-4734
email

Adopt-a-River Brochure

Download the Adopt-a-River Brochure

Map of Adopted River Sections

The map below shows adopted sections in purple.

AAR map

Safety Tips for Adopt-a-River Cleanups

To protect yourself and others:

Park all vehicles along levee roads.
Stop work in inclement weather.
Avoid overexertion.
Wear light-colored clothing.
Wear heavy gloves.
Wear leather shoes or boots.
Wear a hat and long sleeves.
Wear sunscreen and bug repellent.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Do not remove hazardous objects.
Watch for sharp objects
Watch for holes in the ground or rough terrain.
Be alert for snakes.
Avoid contact with noxious weeds.
Do not pick up items on highway bridges and levee culverts.
Stay clear of any construction.
Do not enter the Rio Grande, wasteways or drains.
Furnish adequate supervision by one or more adults for participants 15 years of age or under.
Work in pairs whenever possible.
Know your exits

In case of emergency...

Every crew should have a first aid kit.
Have transportation readily available.

Housekeeping -

Call the local USIBWC Field Office afterwards to advise them to pick up the full trash bags (or the Adopt-a-River Coordinator)
And thank you for doing your part to keep our beautiful Rio Grande litter free.