K-12 Education
Overview
The LA River is one of the best classrooms in the city. It is a place where students can watch science, history, and conservation come to life, right in their own backyard. Through hands-on learning and real-world exploration, our K-12 education programs help students understand the River’s role in LA’s past, present, and future while empowering them to be part of its restoration.
Whether it is testing water quality, spotting wildlife, or uncovering the River’s history, we believe that when young people connect with the River, they begin to see themselves as a part of its story – which is the first step in forging the next generation of environmental stewards.
Our Programs
Source to Sea
Source to Sea is FoLAR’s watershed education program for students in grades 3 through 12, designed to connect young people to the LA River through hands-on learning and scientific exploration. Whether students visit the River in person or engage with FoLAR educators in their classroom, Source to Sea builds critical thinking skills while diving into the River’s history, ecology, and future.
We offer our Source to Sea program in two ways: as an immersive field trip where students explore the River firsthand, conduct water quality tests, and observe the local ecosystem, or as an in-classroom lesson, where FoLAR educators bring the River to students through interactive presentations, activities, and virtual resources. Both formats align with California’s Next Generation Science Standards and integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math to show how human behavior shapes both natural and built environments.
FoLAR is committed to making sure everyone has access to the River and our educational programs. If cost is a barrier, let us know—we offer scholarships, with priority for Title 1 schools. Reach out to education@folar.org.
River Fellows
The River Fellows program is a paid workforce development initiative that provides River adjacent youth with immersive outdoor experiences, exposure to green career pathways, and hands-on experience in restoration, advocacy, and environmental STEM. Fellows engage in fieldwork, complete a certification course, and public speaking opportunities, gaining the skills needed to pursue green careers. By prioritizing equitable access to professional development, the program helps combat green gentrification, ensuring that the communities most impacted by the River’s future have a voice in shaping it.
The Great LA River CleanUp
Every year, thousands of volunteers come together for The Great LA River CleanUp, the largest urban River CleanUp in the country. This massive community effort removes tons of trash from the River’s channels, restoring habitat for wildlife and making the River a healthier place for both people and nature.
In 2025, we hosted four sites across two weekends with thousands of volunteers. Take a look at the impact we had here and check out some of our favorite photos from this year’s CleanUp:
A History of Action
The Great LA River CleanUp began in the late 1980s as a grassroots movement to take direct action in restoring the River. At a time when the River was seen by many as nothing more than a concrete flood channel, FoLAR recognized its potential as a thriving urban ecosystem. The CleanUp started small, with just a handful of volunteers, but grew each year as more people became inspired to take part in reclaiming the River as a natural and cultural resource.
Over the decades, the event has expanded to include multiple CleanUp sites along the entire River, from its headwaters in the San Fernando Valley to its mouth in Long Beach. The CleanUp has mobilized over 100,000 volunteers and has removed millions of pounds of trash, demonstrating the impact of sustained, community-driven action.
Why It Matters
The Great LA River CleanUp is about more than just picking up trash. It is an opportunity to educate the public about the River’s ecological and social importance while fostering a sense of stewardship. Removing plastics and pollutants before they reach the ocean helps protect marine life, while restoring natural spaces along the River benefits local wildlife and improves access to green spaces for communities.
This event has also been a catalyst for change, inspiring policies and projects aimed at improving water quality, increasing public access, and advancing the long-term revitalization of the River. By participating, volunteers become part of a movement that goes beyond a single day of service, contributing to a larger vision of a thriving, restored LA River.
Join the CleanUp
The Great LA River CleanUp is open to everyone, from individuals and families to schools and businesses. Whether it is your first time or you have been coming for years, every volunteer makes a difference.
We invite everyone to participate in this impactful event to help restore and protect our River. Stay tuned for specific dates and registration details for 2026, which will be announced on our events page.
Community Events
FoLAR’s community events bring people together to connect with the LA River through restoration, celebration, and discovery. Whether you are ripping up some invasive mustard by the root, enjoying an evening stroll along the banks of the River with local wildlife, or celebrating our River community by dancing under the stars at LA State Historic Park, there is something for everyone. Join us in experiencing the River in a way that is meaningful, fun, and impactful.
Below is some information about a few of our regular events, but make sure to check out our events to see what’s coming up next.
Habitat Restoration Day
Every month, volunteers join FoLAR and California Native Plant Society to remove invasive plant species from the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve. In addition to making a hands-on impact on local habitat, volunteers learn about the negative impacts of invasive plant species on the ecosystem and why their removal is vital to restoration efforts. Then, we grab some binoculars and join San Fernando Valley Audubon Society for a guided nature walk along the Reserve to learn about the many species that benefit from habitat restoration.
Bats and Brews
Experience the LA River at dusk with an evening of bat-watching and local craft beer. In partnership with the Natural History Museum, experts will guide you through the fascinating world of urban bats and their role in the River’s ecosystem. Enjoy locally crafted beer from our friends at Frogtown Brewery, meet fellow nature enthusiasts, and take part in a guided tour to watch bats emerge at dusk. This event is a unique blend of science, community, and fun, offering an up-close look at one of the River’s most mysterious and important species.
RiverFest
FoLAR no longer hosts a traditional gala because we believe that our work should be celebrated in a way that is inclusive, accessible, and community-driven. Instead, we bring people together for River Fest, a free and open celebration of the LA River. This event showcases music, film, food, and storytelling, highlighting the culture, history, and future of the River. Through performances, screenings, and interactive exhibits, River Fest invites people of all ages to connect with the River in a way that’s meaningful, engaging, and inspiring.
Advocacy & Policy
The LA River is many things at once. It is an iconic LA landmark, a vital resource for our city, and a powerful tool for addressing climate change. Most importantly, it is your neighborhood River. Stretching from Canoga Park to Long Beach, the River connects us all, offering every community a chance to grow, learn, and thrive. FoLAR believes the River belongs to everyone, and we are working hard to ensure its potential is unlocked for all Angelenos.
Our Advocacy Priorities
- Environmental Justice Representation – FoLAR has been appointed to the Lower LA River Watershed Steering Committee, where we now serve as the Environmental Justice seat. This role gives us a direct voice in decisions that will shape the River’s restoration, ensuring that historically marginalized communities have a say in the future of their River.
- Community Engagement in Restoration – We have taken on the critical role of convener, bringing together stakeholders to engage with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their dredging project in the Glendale Narrows. By facilitating feedback and fostering collaboration, we are ensuring the River’s restoration is inclusive and responsive to community needs.
- Equitable Development – FoLAR has been named one of three organizational leaders in the Taylor Yard Equity Strategy, a key initiative to ensure that development around the River serves the needs of all Angelenos, especially those in underserved communities.
- Watershed Health & Restoration – Advocating for policies that improve water quality, restore natural habitats, and support biodiversity.
- Climate Resilience & Green Infrastructure – Pushing for investments in flood protection, climate adaptation, and sustainable development along the River.
- Community-Led Planning – Supporting policies that center the voices of local residents in River revitalization efforts, preventing displacement and green gentrification.
How We Take Action
FoLAR engages in advocacy through a mix of direct action, coalition-building, and public education. Our work includes:
- Mobilizing the Community – Engaging residents, students, and local organizations to advocate for equitable, River-friendly policies.
- Community Education – Providing accessible resources, workshops, and events to empower people with the knowledge and tools to advocate for the River and environmental justice in their neighborhoods.
- Partnering with Policymakers & Agencies – Collaborating with government agencies, elected officials, and advocacy groups to ensure that policies reflect community needs.
- Tracking Legislation & Policy Changes – Keeping a close watch on decisions that affect the River and informing the public about key opportunities to take action.
Get Involved
Stay informed about River policy, upcoming events, and ways to take action by signing up for our newsletter. Be the first to know how you can make a difference for the LA River and your community.
River Fellows
About the Program
The River Fellows program is a paid workforce development initiative that provides River adjacent youth with immersive outdoor experiences, exposure to green career pathways, and hands-on experience in restoration, advocacy, and environmental STEM. Fellows engage in fieldwork, complete a certification course,, and public speaking opportunities , gaining the skills needed to pursue green careers. By prioritizing equitable access to professional development, the program helps combat green gentrification, ensuring that the communities most impacted by the River’s future have a voice in shaping it.
What Fellows Do
River Fellows gain hands-on experience in environmental STEM, restoration projects that improve habitat and reduce pollution, and advocacy. Fellows also receive career development support, including resume workshops, networking, and climate communications training. They also enjoy outdoor experiences like kayaking the LA River, hiking our local trails, and camping, which build confidence in nature and strengthen the Fellows’ connection to the River. By combining fieldwork, leadership, and professional skills, Fellows become community advocates who help ensure the River’s future reflects the needs of the people who live alongside it.
Program Impact
River Fellows emerge from the program with increased confidence in their professional skills, stronger connections to environmental careers, and a deeper sense of responsibility toward the River and their communities.
- 67% increase in professional skills and career/college preparedness.
- 96% of Fellows reported taking more environmental action after completing the program.
- 100% of Fellows said they gained the confidence to make a difference in their communities.
Through this experience, Fellows become leaders, educators, and advocates for the future of the LA River.
How to Apply
The River Fellows program is open to youth in 9th-11th grade who attend Title I schools near the middle soft bottom area of the River. Applicants from historically underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications for our Fellows Program are currently closed, but we’re already looking ahead to the next round. Check back soon for updates, or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when applications reopen.
