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Fall 2026 Edition

The High Desert Droplet is a collection of news and tips to help you prevent stormwater pollution in your community.

Dear High Desert friends and partners,

Fall is here, bringing cooler temperatures (we hope) and new opportunities to help protect the Mojave River Watershed.

In this edition of the Droplet, we’re getting back to basics with a closer look at what a watershed really is and why our everyday actions matter. We’re also highlighting upcoming community cleanups across the High Desert that you can participate in, sharing stormwater-savvy landscaping tips and celebrating local students who are making a difference as Stormwater Trooper ambassadors.

A new season is a great reminder that protecting our watershed is a year-round effort. Even simple actions can help prevent pollution and keep the High Desert clean and thriving.

Thank you for continuing to do your part. We wish you a wonderful fall season!

Sincerely,
The Mojave River Watershed Group

MRWG co-sponsors upcoming High Desert community clean-up events

City of Hesperia volunteers roll up their sleeves to remove litter and prevent pollution across the community.

Twice a year, the cities of Hesperia and Victorville, and the Town of Apple Valley host community clean-up events to help keep the High Desert clean and thriving. The Mojave River Watershed Group is proud to co-sponsor these clean-ups, where volunteers can join us in preserving the beauty and wildlife of our local environment, and most importantly, help keep litter out of our water!

Trash and waste left on the ground can wash into storm drains during rain or irrigation, eventually flowing into the Mojave River Watershed. This pollution disrupts fragile ecosystems, threatens wildlife and affects water quality.

SAVE THE DATE:

• September 19 | 8:30am – 12pm | Apple Valley – click here for more information
• October 24 | 8am – 12pm | Hesperia – click here for more information
• October 24 | 8am – 11:30am | Victorville – click here for more information

Join these community clean-ups to help keep the High Desert beautiful. We hope to see you there!

Do you know what a watershed is?

A railroad near the Mojave River, showing puddles that later seep into waterways

The term “watershed” could get misinterpreted by many, and it’s an honest mistake! The Mojave River Watershed is not necessarily a place where vast amounts of water is stored, but more of an area where water travels, collects and eventually makes its way to a common destination.

Think of it as a funnel. The water that falls from the sky or leaks from pipes and hoses travels into many places and follows different paths. Some of that water flows across the ground, some soaks into the soil and some can eventually make its way underground.

Here in the High Desert, we are part of the Mojave River Watershed. And because we are all part of it, what happens around us can have an impact on the watershed, too. The water we use from washing our cars or the trash we leave behind has the potential to make its way through our watershed.

That’s why understanding what a watershed is matters. It’s not just a river or a body of water – it's the land around us and the many ways water moves through it.

The next time you see rain falling or water running down your street, remember you’re looking at a small part of the bigger picture – your watershed.

Did You Know: The Business Alliance

The Mojave River Watershed Group has 25 partners that make up the Business Alliance, where local businesses get free advertising, social media engagement and community collaboration. And the best part? It's free!

Watershed savvy student ambassadors make waves in the High Desert

High school Stormwater Trooper Ambassadors from the Apple Valley Academy for Academic Excellence attend events across the High Desert alongside MRWG

MRWG is continuing its Stormwater Trooper Ambassador Program during the 2026-2027 school year in partnership with the Apple Valley Academy for Academic Excellence. The program empowers high school student ambassadors to educate their peers about stormwater pollution prevention through hands-on EnviroScape® demonstrations and environmental outreach activities.

They brought MRWG’s EnviroScape® demonstration to 11 of the school’s ELOP and environmental engineering classes, reaching 653 Kindergarten – 5^th grade students. They also join MRWG at community events and city clean-ups, speaking directly to the community where they live, learn and play. These future leaders are setting an example among their peers, helping to raise awareness about watershed protection and stormwater pollution prevention.

Stormwater-savvy landscaping tips

Having a beautiful and water-savvy yard is not as hard as you might think it is! In fact, a few simple changes to the way we plant and water our yards can help protect the Mojave River Watershed while keeping our gardens looking great.

One easy place to start is by choosing native plants and grasses. California buckwheat, brittlebush, desert marigold and desert sage are great options for our High Desert climate because they typically need less water and are more resistant to local pests. Plus, they can add plenty of color to your yard!

How we water matters too. Proper irrigation helps keep water where it belongs — in your plants and soil instead of running down the driveway or into the gutter. A drip irrigation system is a great option because it delivers water directly to specific plants instead of spraying water all around. Tip: Water during the cooler parts of the day!

And when using lawn and garden products, remember that a little goes a long way. Choose nontoxic options when possible and avoid applying fertilizers or treatments right before a rainstorm.

A beautiful yard and a healthy watershed can go hand-in-hand. With a few stormwater-savvy choices, we can keep our yards thriving while helping protect the water we all depend on.