Have you been told to simply pick up trash around town and hope for a cleaner San Antonio? You’re not alone. But there’s a better way. Join us to discover the power of River Aid San Antonio’s community-driven trash cleanups and their impact on the local environment and find out how you can help create lasting cultural change through education and partnerships to combat environmental issues.

In this episode of big city small town with Bob Rivard, you will:

• Uncover the success of River Aid San Antonio's grassroots efforts in addressing local environmental challenges.

• Grasp the difficulties and obstacles associated with mitigating San Antonio's litter issue.

• Recognize the benefits of businesses partnering with cleanups and supporting green initiatives in local communities.

• Identify the significance of political action and government aid in resolving environmental concerns.

• Unravel the potential for building a cleaner, greener future through educational initiatives and collaborations.

Introducing Charles Blank, the compassionate director of River Aid San Antonio, a nonprofit organization focused on keeping San Antonio's Howard Peak Greenway trail system pristine. With roots in addressing food insecurity through his work at Gardopia Gardens, Charles has been at the forefront of River Aid's efforts since it was founded in 2021. Under his leadership, the organization has made a significant impact on the community by organizing volunteer-driven trash cleanups that have grown in both size and effectiveness.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Join River Aid San Antonio's volunteer cleanups by following their Instagram page for updates on upcoming events and locations.

• Donate to River Aid San Antonio through their GoFundMe page to support their mission and help fund cleanup supplies and operational expenses.

• Support local businesses like Hash Vegan Eats that share values with River Aid San Antonio and help drive volunteerism in the community.

• Advocate for changes in store policies like implementing bag bans, as city ordinances are not currently allowed due to a ruling in Laredo, Texas.

• Encourage local companies like HEB and Valero to sponsor River Aid San Antonio cleanups and contribute to solving the city's litter problem.

• Promote Low Impact Development (LID) practices and maintenance in residential areas to help with stormwater treatment and reduce the flow of trash into rivers and creeks.

• Support River Aid San Antonio's efforts to maintain LID features like the one at Lawrence Creek Preserve, which helps treat water flowing into McAllister Park.

• Hold city and county government accountable for addressing litter problems with tax dollars and consider more efficient ways of addressing the issue, such as community-driven efforts like River Aid San Antonio.

River Aid's Efforts to Clean the Mission Region
The Mission Reach region, home to one of San Antonio's well-known missions, is particularly challenging regarding cleanup efforts. This is due to the area's complicated landscape, which can make litter removal more difficult than in other parts of the city. Nonetheless, River Aid San Antonio, with the help of their dedicated volunteers, is working hard to develop innovative solutions for this specific region. In his conversation with Bob Rivard, Charles Blank detailed River Aid San Antonio's successes, including their removal of over 10,000 pounds of trash from a single cleanup day, all driven by community volunteers. By fostering engagement with the community, River Aid San Antonio has proven its ability to address both the trash problem and its underlying causes, ultimately working toward creating a more sustainable and cleaner San Antonio.

River Aid's Educational Awareness Campaign
Educational campaigns can play an important role in promoting long-term, sustainable solutions to environmental issues. By targeting schools, River Aid San Antonio hopes to instill positive values and behaviors in young people, who can ultimately drive societal and cultural change within their homes and communities. During the podcast, Charles Blank mentioned River Aid San Antonio’s efforts to partner with public school districts, focusing on raising awareness among children about the importance of maintaining a clean environment. By educating and engaging the younger generation, River Aid San Antonio aspires to create an enduring cultural shift in environmental stewardship that will ultimately have a lasting impact on the community and the health of the city's waterways.