Monday, Monday…

“Bah-da, bah-da-da-da”

Mary O’Hara

Released in 1966 by The Mamas & The Papas, the song “Monday, Monday” (a core memory for some of us) epitomizes mixed emotions. On one hand, there’s the optimism of a fresh start—a clean slate, the beginning of a new week. On the other, there’s disappointment at the end of the weekend’s frivolities and the pessimism of returning to the daily grind.

Likewise, our HCMN Project 2302: Volunteering for Nature in San Marcos carries a similar vibe! This opportunity involves picking up debris left behind by the recreational crowd along riverbanks and city park areas, helping protect and preserve the fragile riparian habitat.

“Beginning with the Memorial Day weekend crowd in 2024, Monday Morning Cleanups became a vital effort to address overwhelming litter in the upper San Marcos River during peak recreational season. While litter has been a consistent issue for years, growing crowds—including visitors traveling long distances to enjoy Rio Vista Park—have increased the challenge. Large piles of abandoned inner tubes and single-use containers prompted the Eyes of San Marcos River and Keep San Marcos Beautiful (KSMB) to establish regular post-weekend cleanups, easing the burden on Monday morning Parks & Rec crews. In 2025, the City installed temporary fencing to limit contraband entering the River Park System, ramped up staffing of Conservation Crew and Park Ambassadors, and began enforcing the Single-use Container Ban. As a result, overall litter has decreased, even as crowd sizes have remained steady.” —Jon Lopez, City of San Marcos, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator for Resource Recovery

At the crack of dawn, volunteers from multiple organizations arrive armed with gloves, grabbers, and separate bags for recyclables and landfill refuse. A 6:30 a.m. start allows dedicated souls to earn some well-deserved self-esteem before heading off to their 9–5 jobs. Retirees enjoy lending a helping hand to make a positive impact for their community.

As we’ve learned from many other conservation efforts, many hands make light work! River cleanups bring together multiple community organizations: The Eyes of the San Marcos River, Keep San Marcos Beautiful, San Marcos River Foundation, San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, Hays County Master Naturalist, Mermaid Society of San Marcos, and (of course) the City of San Marcos—each lending support with volunteers and supplies. In 2025, the Easter Seals team joined the cause with weekend efforts that greatly reduced the workload on Monday mornings. Kudos to David Zambrano (Eyes of the San Marcos River), Melani Howard (Hays County Master Naturalist, Keep San Marcos Beautiful), and Jon Lopez (City of San Marcos/Resource Recovery)—dedicated coordinators of the sunrise sessions at Rio Vista Park.

Individuals also take matters into their own hands by cruising the river itself—drifting above or diving below to collect lost or discarded items. A few notable heroes include Dr. Kim Meitzen (Texas State Biology Professor), who paddles weekly to grab topside trash; Susan Hanson (San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance), who dives regularly to scoop up sunken “treasure;” and Amy Thomaides (City of San Marcos), who is proactively leading innovative prevention programs with a focus on litter reduction.

What do folks leave behind?

The big stuff: discarded inflatable tubes, dirty diapers, aluminum cans, glass bottles, Styrofoam carryout containers, clothing, shoes, hot charcoal/ashes, plastic bags, empty vape devices, mylar balloons, broken folding chairs, and more.

Microtrash: bottle caps, pull tabs, wrappers, glitter, straws, hair accessories, faux fingernails, cigarette butts, and microplastics galore.

Environmental impacts

The consequences are vast. From water, soil, and air pollution to disrupted ecosystems, foreign debris can accumulate in food chains, affecting every species—human and wildlife alike. Hot coals dumped from barbeques can kill trees that have withstood decades of seasons. Toxic chemicals leach out of vapes and cigarette butts. Bacteria from soiled diapers spread invisibly and exponentially. EEEK!

River residents

So much amazing flora and fauna share this riparian wonderland! Ancient snapping turtles, Texas river cooters, and red-eared sliders bask in dappled sunlight on fallen trunks. A veritable rainbow of birds can be found browsing the shallows for their favorite fare: Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Great Egrets, Wood Ducks, and Belted Kingfishers. Overhead, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Purple Martins, Red-tailed Hawks, and Black Vultures float in search of their next meal.

Great Blue Heron Photo courtesy Mary O’Hara

Beneath the crystal-clear water, fish abound—spotted gar, largemouth and smallmouth bass, Guadalupe bass, Rio Grande perch, and various sunfish. The river also harbors several endemic and endangered species, including Texas and San Marcos blind salamanders and the adorable Fountain Darter. Dragonflies, damselflies, and mayflies rest briefly on stems poking through the surface. Texas Wild Rice—found only in the upper San Marcos River—sways like mermaid hair in the current. Other natives like Ludwigia, Sagittaria, and Cabomba provide safe nurseries for young fry. And if you’re very lucky, you might spot an otter or beaver busy at work. It’s imperative that we humans champion a clean environment for them all!

Despite ongoing educational efforts about Leave No Trace, not everyone follows the rules, so the dirty work continues. Monday Morning Summer Cleanups conclude with Labor Day weekend, although individual efforts continue throughout the year.

Whether you’re part of a river clean-up, a neighborhood beautification effort, or a solo picker, logging your results is a simple way to make a big impact. Learn more and submit your clean-up data at TexasLitter.org.

In the words of Baba Dioum, Senegalese forestry engineer, IUCN General Assembly, New Delhi, 1968:

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”

NatureWatch: Amphibian Fun