On Sept. 17, volunteers will have the opportunity to improve Umatilla riversides, including at the Old Town site.

The Two Rivers Shoreline & Invasive Species Cleanup will focus on cleaning up the Old Town area north of downtown and south of the Columbia River. On Sept. 17, volunteers will meet at the intersection of Third Street and Switzler Avenue. Volunteers are asked to park at the end of Third Street.

Ismael Caballero, a natural resource manager with the Army Corp of Engineers, is coordinating the clean-up. It would be great if we had 100 volunteers, but anywhere from 10 and above would be great, he said.

Umatilla volunteers will cut and remove invasive trees and vegetation with hand and light power tools and remove hazardous woody debris from past tree cutting treatments. Because of safety issues, volunteers must be at least 8 years old.

Its mostly level ground, but there are some slopes and there could be some heavy materials to move, Caballero said.

The Corps of Engineers has taken on management of these spaces on the Umatilla riverfronts, including Old Town, for about 10 years, Caballero said, working closely with the city of Umatilla, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and neighboring property owners.

Being a government agency, it is our responsibility to try and manage the invasive species, to be a good neighbor and to help the environment, especially the native species, Caballero said. This is our first attempt to utilize a volunteer organization like SOLV, so were looking forward to it.

Established in 1969, SOLV is a nonprofit organization that brings together volunteers, conservation groups and government agencies to restore natural spaces and encourage environmental stewardship. The Umatilla event is part of SOLVs Fall Beach and Riverside Cleanup, a part of the International Coastal Cleanup day. In Oregon, more than 100 sites will be featured this year.

Although organizers encourage people to sign up in advance, Caballero said he will have registration forms on site.

Its good to know how many people are coming because we plan to have some gloves and safety gear available, but we will be able to sign people up there if they come out unannounced, he said. We welcome anyone that comes out. It will be a fun day. Were not going to pressure anyone to exert themselves. Well welcome anyone who wants to help.

More information or to register, visit www.solv.org/programs/fall_beach_cleanup.asp or contact Caballero at ismael.caballero@usace.army.mil or 503-808-4325.