I'm County Attorney Andrew Thomas. A hidden jewel in the Valley that is a reminder of Arizona's past, Tres Rios is the confluence of the Salt, Gila and Agua Fria Rivers in the west Valley.

This wildlife refuge is home to cottonwood, willow, salt cedar, seep willow and other plants that can only thrive in riparian areas. Animals such as hawks, osprey, peregrine falcons, the desert tortoise, beavers, bobcats and javelina make their homes in this area.

Sadly, the Tres Rios Refuge has become a dumping ground for transients, smugglers of drugs and humans, and other criminal offenders. They leave behind trash that has choked the riparian habitat, including tires, abandoned cars, and cattle carcasses.

I have joined forces with state and local law-enforcement officials joined forces to prosecute polluters and take other measures to restore the endangered Tres Rios Project Area to ecological health.

You can help with the clean up efforts and restore the natural beauty of the Tres Rios wildlife area by volunteering for the "Spring Cleaning" on Saturday, February 20, 2010. To register, please fill out the form to the right. We hope to see you there!

Did You Know? Before Phoenix was a city and Arizona was a state the Salt and Gila Rivers floated freely through the Valley of the Sun nourishing plant and animal life The Tres Rios Project Area is home to 150 species of birds as well as mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians. (Source: AZ Game & Fish)

Volunteer Information Volunteers will be provided: A Tres Rios t-shirt, trash bags, water, orange vests, hand sanitizer and a great experience outdoors. Volunteers SHOULD bring: Sturdy shoes, long shirt/pants, hat, working gloves and friends/family to share the experience with!

How to report Illegal Trash Dumping in Arizona
www.donttrashaz.com

If you see someone littering from a vehicle you can call the Litter Hotline:
1-877-3-LITTER (877-354-8837), or fill out a reporting form.

If you want to report an area where trash has accumulated on a freeway, you can call the ADOT complaint line: (602) 712-7355

If you want to report an area where trash has accumulated illegally or has accumulated in your neighborhood, please call Maricopa Solid Waste Department: (602) 506-4006