SANTA FE, NM – In an effort to inspire both residents and visitors to protect the state’s waterways by properly disposing of waste, the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) has launched a Keep New Mexico True campaign that will spotlight clean-up events across New Mexico.

Events will kick off this Saturday, September 18, for World Clean-up Day and will run through October 23.

Clean-up events for World Clean-Up Day will be taking place at the following locations on September 18:

Additional clean-up events will be taking place at the following locations throughout October:

Residents and visitors are invited to make a day out of partaking in a clean-up event by enjoying nearby outdoor recreational experience and supporting local businesses.

Clean-up events featured in this Keep New Mexico True campaign are supported by the NMTD Clean & Beautiful Grant Program which funds projects and programs that reduce waste, end littering and beautify communities.

More litter can be found along waterways than roadways according to the Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study. There are an estimated 25.9 billion pieces of litter along waterways in the United States. Personal protection equipment such as face masks are already accumulating along rivers and streams.  

There are 108,000 miles of river flowing through New Mexico, and four rivers in New Mexico have been designated Wild and Scenic.

More information about the campaign and volunteer opportunities can be found here: https://www.newmexico.org/waterways/