On Oct. 17, 2023, staff from Tucson Parks and Recreation kicked off the Autumn Corridor cleanup by removing litter and performing light landscaping on Pantano Road between East Irvington Road and East Escalante Road. They were joined by residents who registered with Team Up to Clean Up, the City of Tucson’s community cleanup program. City staff and volunteers removed bottles, cardboard, cigarettes, and other obscure items littered along the corridor. Additionally, staff removed weeds and overgrown vegetation. Tuesday, Oct. 17, was just the beginning of the cleanup effort. Staff from Parks and Recreation including lifeguards, Ready, Set, Rec! programmers, park maintenance crews, and administrative staff "Teamed Up” every Tuesday until Nov. 14, 2023, and delivered a cleaner Pantano Road to residents this fall. 

The Autumn Corridor Cleanup, a month-long initiative to enhance the City of Tucson’s major streets, ended on Nov. 18, 2023. City staff and residents cleaned over 40 sites along seven corridors: 22nd Street, Speedway, Pantano, Oracle, Swan, Craycroft, and 12th Avenue. More than 410 individuals removed 1,000+ bags of litter and debris. Large items encountered, including mattresses, office chairs, and furniture, were also removed. Beyond the numbers, these cleanups helped bring together diverse members of the community and various City departments, including the Environmental and General Services Department (EGSD), Parks and Recreation, Department of Transportation and Mobility, and Tucson Water. This collective effort not only enhances our city's appearance but displayed a shared commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Tucson. 

Litter poses significant threats to both our environment and the well-being of our community. The presence of litter creates hazards for both people and animals who may harm themselves while navigating around or attempting to remove debris. Illegally dumped litter not only hurts the aesthetic appeal of our surroundings but also has negative effects on the vegetation at dumping sites. 

The materials collected during the Autumn Corridor Cleanups, including Styrofoam and tires, serve as hard examples of the impact of litter, as they take over 1 million years to decompose! Addressing the community issue of litter through community cleanups is crucial for preserving the health our community and environment. 

EGSD cleaned 12,065 illegal dump sites in 2022. The costly effects of litter go beyond aesthetics. This creates an economic burden on the City and a cleanup team. Litter contributes to soil degradation, air and water pollution, and disrupts local ecosystems. By removing trash as a community, this helps the environment and the city's time and resources. 

Here in the Sonoran Desert, litter collects in streets and washes. The desert wind and rain direct litter into hard-to-reach areas such as wash drainage infrastructure or dense vegetation. Often, community cleanups are combating the hard-to-reach trash. Using a park patrol, the tool to collect litter, staff and volunteers can remove litter with precision. In other situations, staff and volunteers use shovels and rakes to remove the accumulated litter. If the litter removal is too much for a group, EGSD uses heavy machinery to abate the litter.  

The community cleanups don’t stop with the Autumn Corridor Cleanup. If you and your neighbors or a business would like to host a cleanup, EGSD can help. Staff will provide park patrols, vests, gloves, and coordination support. After the cleanup, EGSD will haul away the debris at no cost.  

To participate in this program, you and members of your association or group must be:  

Other organizations leading cleanups:

Trashy Divas, a volunteer group of women and men, host cleanups around town. Email trashydivasaz@gmail.com to join their mailing list.

Barrio Restoration, a group creating respect in our South Tucson Barrios by cleaning the streets. Follow along on its Instagram handle.  

Tucson Clean and Beautiful, a nonprofit and supporter of Team Up to Clean Up events, rents tools and provides bags to groups interested in hosting their own cleanup. Adopting a site is an excellent opportunity to reduce litter and commit to monthly cleanups, organized by Tucson Clean and Beautiful. 

In early November, members of the City’s Commission on Climate, Energy, and Sustainability (CCES) gathered for a facilitated retreat. During this event, they shared a meal, got to know each other better, and took the opportunity to outline the key focus areas for the CCES moving forward.  

The City’s Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) provided an overview of Tucson Resilient Together (TRT), the climate action and adaptation plan. Additionally, the CRO offered updates on the ongoing initiatives of the Climate Action Team (CAT) and expressed a desire for collaboration as TRT is implemented. 

At this pivotal moment in time, the City of Tucson finds itself with a dedicated team spearheading the implementation of TRT, substantial opportunities to apply for federal climate investments, and a strong foundation of community support to transform the City of Tucson into a climate-resilient community. The alignment couldn’t be more opportune. 

The timing of the CCES retreat was particularly fortuitous, providing a platform for a collective discussion on the aspirations for the future of climate and sustainability. The dialogue was not only insightful but also served as a powerful testament to CCES's unwavering commitment to advancing climate action in Tucson. 

Looking ahead, there is a sense of enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts that will unfold. We eagerly anticipate the fruitful collaboration between CCES, key stakeholders, and community members as we work together to realize our shared vision for a more sustainable and resilient Tucson. The foundation has been set, and we are poised for meaningful and impactful climate action.