Garland, TX – Volunteer Garland launched a pilot program on Saturday, May 31, to explore the effectiveness of boat-based litter removal on Lake Ray Hubbard. In partnership with Clear Texas Lakes, the initiative aims to improve cleanup efforts in shoreline areas that are difficult to access on foot.
Seventeen participants, including staff members and community volunteers, gathered at the John Paul Jones shoreline for the event. The intentionally small group size allowed organizers to closely monitor how a cleanup vessel could access and remove debris from remote shoreline areas.
Don Gaston, founder of Clear Texas Lakes, led the water-based portion of the cleanup, providing volunteers with the opportunity to board his specially designed cleanup boat. The team focused on collecting litter from coves, brush lines, and other hard-to-reach spots where trash often accumulates.
This pilot program represents a strategic shift for Volunteer Garland. Traditionally, the organization coordinates larger, land-based waterway cleanups. While these events have been successful, their reach is limited by terrain. The current initiative seeks to determine if specialized equipment, like boats, can significantly enhance cleanup results in inaccessible areas.
During the cleanup, the team collected 1,100 pounds of litter. Volunteer Garland separates litter and wood debris for processing, and the final weight totals for the remaining material will be announced after processing. Organizers estimate that the total weight removed from the lake, including wood debris, will exceed 2,000 pounds.
Clear Texas Lakes works year-round to remove trash and large debris from Texas lakes. The organization’s efforts help restore the health of aquatic ecosystems and protect public spaces.
Volunteer Garland expressed gratitude to all participants for their commitment and support. The city plans to conduct several trial cleanups in the coming months to evaluate how innovative cleanup models can be scaled to maintain clean, safe, and welcoming waterways for everyone. The results of this pilot program will inform future strategies for lakeshore maintenance and community engagement, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future for Garland’s natural resources.
