Our Purpose
MISSION
We provide opportunities for civic engagement and stewardship of waterways by hosting cleanups, educating about the harmful effects of trash as pollution, and demonstrating the need for healthy ecosystems.
VISION
We seek to create a legacy of pollution-free waterways and shape the next generation of watershed stewards.
VALUES
Stewardship, Community, Education, Collaboration, Responsibility
Our Story
Originally formed in 2015, a group of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts noticed the significant amount of trash littering stream banks and lakeshores of popular fishing locations.
We began encouraging anglers to collect garbage in their net when walking out of a fishing destination and taking the time to have conversations with our friends. Our organization has grown from these small acts of stewardship to hosting localized events to clean heavily used waterways and promote watershed health. Just in five years, we’ve incorporated as a nonprofit to expand our cleanups across the state of Utah and beyond, as well as positively influence youth through education.
We survive and thrive off of the generosity of our community members and partners. We believe that together, we can make a big difference.
How We Operate
We currently host cleanups on waterways across Northern Utah, drawing regional volunteers from numerous counties. For every event, we seek participation from local companies and organizations to further develop community-engaged stewardship opportunities and long-term partnerships. Additionally, we collaborate with nonprofits and groups, local municipalities, as well as state and federal government agencies.
Our Team
Jared Winkler
PRESIDENT, Board member
The guy behind Brighton Anglers, a dynamic community of fly-fishing enthusiasts hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah. Armed with a wealth of experience in marketing and event management, Jared spearheads the organization's promotional initiatives, focusing particularly on annual cleanup events and forging valuable regional partnerships. As the Director of Marketing for Brighton Resort, Jared brings his expertise to elevate the resort's profile and offerings. Beyond his professional endeavors, Jared takes immense pride in being a devoted father to two adorable little girls.
Steve Grider
Vice president, BOARD MEMBER
Steve is a Utah native with a background in construction and he also founded the apparel company Indian Summer Flyfish. Steve wears many hats at FFG, helping out with everything from creating campaigns, fundraising and graphic design.
Whitney Rushton
BOARD Member, Social Media Manager
A true Utah native, Whitney has always felt at home in the great outdoors, with a special love for fly fishing. From the very start, she’s been attending cleanups, driven by her passion for protecting nature and inspiring others to do the same. Whitney believes in the power of community and education to keep our wild spaces trash-free. With her expertise in social media, she’s on a mission to raise awareness, spark action, and show just how much of a difference a united community can make!
Lance Haslem
BOARD Member
Lance is a Human Resources professional with a strong focus on organizational effectiveness. Born and raised on the south slope of the Uinta Mountain range, Lance developed a deep appreciation for Utah's stunning waterways at an early age. This lifelong connection to the outdoors inspires his commitment to preserving and protecting natural resources. As a board member of Fish for Garbage, Lance is eager to leverage his expertise and passion to further the organization's mission of promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Jilian Plummer
Board MEMBER
Jillian, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, relocated to Utah several years ago. An avid outdoors enthusiast and dedicated philanthropist, she spends her free time exploring nature with her two dogs and volunteering with local organizations. When she's not working in software, she enjoys road trips and cross-country adventures.
Aaron Smith
BOARD member
Meet Aaron, a fly fishing enthusiast who has a deep passion for wildlife and photography. Aaron believes that nature is a source of peace and inspiration, and feels incredibly fortunate to call a place like Utah home. His love for wildlife, fly fishing, and photography drives him to learn more about the environment, and strive to inspire others to appreciate our waterways as much as he does.
Shayne Anderson
BOARD member
Shayne hails from California, traversed to Taiwan, fluent in Mandarin, proud parent of three with a global family dynamic. Shayne is passionate about hunting, fishing, and environmental stewardship. His adventurous journey includes teaching English, establishing his own school, recording English materials, and exploring Southeast Asia. Shayne's life is a diverse tapestry woven with experiences that reflect his deep appreciation for culture, family, and the great outdoors.
Jeff Earl
BOARD member
Jeff grew up along the Wasatch Front, enjoying all the outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. He has spent his career working for outdoor brands in sales and marketing and is passionate about being a good steward of the outdoors and sharing his passions with his family and friends.
Kris Gough
BOARD member, Treasurer
Kris joined Fish For Garbage in 2022 after attending his first cleanup event and experiencing the camaraderie among volunteers. Inspired by the mission, he joined the planning committee in 2024 and now serves as Treasurer, applying his financial expertise to support the organization’s success. A lifelong fly fisherman who grew up along the Wasatch Front, Kris is passionate about protecting Utah’s rivers and lakes. Beyond managing finances, he helps organize events and works alongside fellow anglers and conservationists to keep public waterways clean, ensuring these natural spaces are preserved for future generations.
Emeritus Board Members
We express sincere gratitude to former Board members who have moved on from their positions. Their devoted service and forward-thinking leadership have played a crucial role in our ongoing efforts to combat waste.
Brad Greeno
CO-Founder / Board President 2015 /2020 After countless encounters with piles of trash along rivers, Brad felt he needed to do something about it. In 2015, Brad and Matt came up with the idea of Fish for Garbage and hosted the first Lower Provo River cleanup. The rest is history.
Shane Grimes
Board Member 2015 /2021 A northern Michigan native, Shane’s earliest childhood memories are from hunting and fishing trips. Fishing rivers and lakes in the Midwest taught him the physical and emotional value of time spent outdoors. He has worked for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team coordinating action sports events around the country.
LEXI KAILI
Board President 2021 & 22 and Board Secretary 2015/2020. Lexi enjoys fly-fishing, backpacking, and rock climbing. Her background includes environmental and science education, as well as nonprofit development. She is a film producer by day and focuses on telling stories to advance positive social and environmental change.
JAson Dyer
Board Member 2015 -2024 Originally from New Hampshire, Jason spent his childhood fly-fishing lakes, rivers, small streams on the Atlantic coast of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts with his father. He was able to enjoy both freshwater and saltwater growing up. Jason was known to get up early to hunt brook trout, then drive to the beach to chase stripers with the incoming tide.
Emily Moench
Board Member 2019 - 2024 From the rivers and lakes of the Wasatch mountains to the waves of San Diego, Emily loves spending time in the water. Emily is an attorney with a strong background in PR and is passionate about social justice.
Alex Buller
Board Member 2018 - 2024 Alex is originally from Vermont, where he lived to ski and immerse himself in the outdoors. A newfound passion for fishing ensued after moving West and trading his spin rod for a fly rod. Alex shares a passion for stewardship in the outdoors and hopes to lead by example in changing our impact on all waterways. His background is in all areas of Finance.