Protecting SoCal desert communities.
SoCal Desert Cleanup is a California nonprofit documenting illegal dumping and preparing safe cleanup and restoration work in the Coachella Valley and Riverside County desert communities.
Report Illegal DumpingRestoring what’s been ignored.
A founder-led cleanup effort for overlooked desert places, built around restoration, community action, and second chances.
Living in the Coachella Valley revealed more than breathtaking landscapes. It also revealed hidden dump sites many people never see.
SoCal Desert Cleanup was created to remove illegal dumping, restore neglected land, unite communities, and create future opportunities for people seeking a second chance.
About SoCal Desert CleanupWhat we do
- Document illegal dumping
- Build a clearer record of dumping locations and conditions.
- Prepare responsible cleanups
- Bring together volunteers, equipment and safe planning to remove waste and restore neglected land.
- Unite the community
- Connect residents, volunteers, businesses and community partners around desert protection.
We are in our launch phase, building the support and equipment needed for organized cleanup operations.
Our deserts deserve better.
Illegal dumping is not just an eyesore. It can intensify fire risk, threaten groundwater, endanger people and wildlife, and leave neighborhoods feeling forgotten.
Hidden places deserve restoration too.
Beyond highways and scenic views are ravines and open spaces overwhelmed by illegal dumping, environmental neglect, and communities too often overlooked.
This is what we protect.
Desert cleanup protects habitat and wildlife including desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, roadrunners, birds of prey, and the native plants and open spaces that sustain them.
We believe restoration is possible—for both people and the places they call home.
There’s a way for you to help.
Get involved
Help build the volunteer network and community support behind responsible desert cleanup.
Get InvolvedSupport the launch
Help fund the truck, trailer, tools and supplies needed to turn planning into cleanup operations.
DonateDocument a dumping site
Share a location and description to help build a record of illegal dumping.
Report Illegal DumpingWant to sponsor equipment or supplies, or partner with SCDC? Contact us about sponsorship.
This is how cleanup begins.
SoCal Desert Cleanup needs a truck, trailer, and equipment support to begin removing illegal dumping from desert communities across the Coachella Valley. Your support helps turn planning into real cleanup operations.
- Truck and trailer donations: Running or non-running trucks, utility trailers and dump trailers help us reach remote sites and haul waste.
- Equipment and supplies: Hauling gear, tools, safety equipment, gloves, bags and bins help crews work safely.
- Fuel sponsorships: Fuel support helps us reach more sites and keep cleanup operations going.
Every donation moves us closer to our first cleanup.
Building toward field-ready action.
Riverside County Adopt-a-Road approval: SoCal Desert Cleanup has been approved for Riverside County Adopt-a-Road.
Our adopted cleanup area is Mountain View Road, starting at Dillon Road, going north, and ending at the Desert Hot Springs city limits.
This approval gives our cleanup work a clear public-service route and helps us organize responsible volunteer cleanup, reporting, and restoration efforts in the Coachella Valley.
Read UpdatesHelp document illegal dumping.
Share a location, describe the waste, and provide photos when available.
Open the reporting pageDocumentation, not a cleanup promise.
A report helps SCDC track and measure illegal dumping. It is not a cleanup-service request or a promise that SCDC will remove the material.
Do not approach active dumpers, trespass, touch suspicious materials, or enter an unsafe area. For immediate danger, contact 911 or the appropriate local authority.
Review the safety and privacy guidance on the reporting page before sharing information.
Help us restore what’s been left behind.
Support SoCal Desert Cleanup by volunteering, donating, sponsoring equipment or supplies, or partnering with the organization to restore Southern California desert lands.