Dedicated to healthy waterways
Fish For Garbage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes communities through waterway cleanups and watershed education.
What We Do
We have two programs at Fish For Garbage: Waterway Cleanups and our Watershed Education Program.
Waterway Cleanups
First, we host waterway cleanups by bringing volunteers, partners, and water resource users together to physically remove trash and generate awareness.
Program Details
Collaboration & partnerships
Local groups, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and government agencies
All materials provided
Opportunity drawing with in-kind donations from sponsors
Strategic Priorities
Clean up waterways by removing garbage
Provide civic engagement and community service opportunities
Build community among individuals and groups that both use and manage waterways
Watershed Education Program
To take our approach one step further, we created our education program to influence behavior change and foster life-long stewardship.
Program Details
Integrative curriculum for Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards
Learn about the importance of watershed health and management
Partner with schools, educators, and other organizations
Strategic Priorities
Provide experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom
Foster the development of environmental stewardship ethics
Develop an understanding of human impacts on waterways
Explore careers in STEM-related, management, and leadership fields by connecting with field experts and higher education professionals
Our Impact
First, we host our Waterway Cleanups to physically remove trash by engaging community members, water resource users, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Hosting cleanups not only offers communities an opportunity to remove garbage, but it allows individuals to take action and be part of the solution.
In recognizing that the removal of existing garbage does not solve the root of the problem, we created our Watershed Education Program. Our educational programming is aimed to inform youth that they have a personal stake in the health of our waterways and a responsibility to take care of them.
We use multiple data collection methods to measure the impact of our programs on the community and youth. This process allows us to quantify individual and societal benefits, and informs marketing efforts to target underrepresented demographics.
100K+
Pounds of garbage removed
Since 2015, we have removed 100,000 pounds (50 tons) of garbage from seven waterways in Northern Utah.
3K+
Volunteers mobilized
We have mobilized over 3,000 volunteers during our cleanups that have collectively donated 12,550+ hours.
180+
Miles cleaned
We have cleaned over 180 miles of shorelines and banks in Northern Utah.
Get Involved
Sponsor a Program
Our operations and programming requires annual and recurring purchases such as equipment, materials, insurance, and permitting fees. We’re always looking for sponsors, partners, and in-kind donations.
Volunteer
In order to be successful, our cleanups require boots on the ground and offer direct service opportunities for employees, interested groups, and individuals.
Make a Donation
To ensure the stability and sustainability of the organization while meeting financial needs, our funding comes from corporate sponsors, foundations and individual donors, with some support from grants.