BLM joins community in action during Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — On Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, more than 200 volunteers, law enforcement officers, and members of local organizations gathered for a massive effort to restore the desert lands east of Lake Havasu.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office hosted the Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up, bringing together a coalition of dedicated agencies and community members to remove illegal dumpsites, abandoned vehicles, and scattered debris from Arizona State Trust Lands and public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

This event, led by Sgt. Kyler Cox, Supervisor of the Division of Boating Safety and the Dive Rescue Team, marked the second annual cleanup hosted by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office. This large-scale initiative was open to the entire community, reinforcing the shared responsibility of protecting Arizona’s natural landscapes. Cox told the volunteers in his briefing, “The goal behind hosting the event was to bring law enforcement into the cleanup efforts so that these litter and dump sites can be investigated for prosecution by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.”

“This cleanup is about more than just trash removal,” Cox said. “It’s about bringing people together to take ownership of these lands, making them safer and cleaner for recreation and wildlife.”

Final weight totals were 21 tons, not including the abandoned vehicles. The event successfully removed:

• Four large roll-off dumpsters filled with trash and debris.
• Approximately 200 abandoned tires.
• Five vehicles, including a stolen Cadillac CTS-V that had been missing since 2017 and was found burned out with a 200-yard debris field.
• Two personal watercrafts.
• Two camper shells.
• Several large items, including couches, televisions, landscaping debris, and assorted household waste.

All five abandoned vehicles were identified, and law enforcement is actively pursuing felony dumping charges against those responsible.

The event’s success was made possible by the combined efforts of volunteers, law enforcement agencies, off-road clubs, and local businesses. Over 200 volunteers worked throughout the day, demonstrating the community’s commitment to conservation.

“The community response was incredible,” Cox said. “From businesses providing food and supplies to off-road groups helping with logistics, it was a team effort from start to finish.”

Participating agencies and organizations included:

• Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (Host)
• Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
• Arizona State Land Department
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District
• Mohave County Environmental Rural Area Cleanup Enforcement
• Lake Havasu City Fire Department (provided medical standby and assisted with cleanup efforts)
• Havasu 4 Wheelers
• Havasu Side By Side Trail Association
• Havasu Side By Side Club
• Merlin’s Old School Garage (provided an off-road tow truck for vehicle removal)
• Camel Towing
• Tiger Trenching (assisted with heavy equipment and dump trucks to remove large items)
• Discount Tire (disposed of all recovered tires at no cost)
• Bunker Bar (donated 300 lunches for volunteers)
• Donut Post (donated 300 donuts for volunteers)
• Starbucks (provided coffee for 300 volunteers)
• Home Depot (donated gloves, trash grabbers, and bags for volunteers)
• Republic Services (offered discounted landfill fees for disposed waste)

“This kind of cleanup effort shows how much people care about their public lands,” said Richard and Lynn, members of the Lake Havasu Side By Side Club, which hosts additional cleanups throughout the year. “We’ve been involved in many of these efforts — different locations, different times — but it’s always great to see so many people step up to help.”

The cleanup began at 9 a.m. and continued until 5 p.m., with volunteers hauling debris, uncovering buried trash, and working alongside law enforcement to restore desert areas frequently used for recreation.

“It’s amazing to see what we can achieve for our community and public lands when we all pitch in,” said Carrie Wostal, Bureau of Land Management law enforcement ranger. “The real beauty lies in the dedicated, kind people who made this cleanup possible — thank you, Mohave County.”

As volunteers left the cleanup site, the difference was immediately visible — what had been littered with wrecked vehicles, illegal dumpsites, and piles of waste was now a cleaner, safer space for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up is more than a one-day event — it’s a commitment to long-term environmental stewardship. With the support of local organizations, law enforcement, and dedicated volunteers, efforts like this will continue to make a lasting impact on Arizona’s public lands.

“This is just the beginning,” Cox said. “The more people get involved, the more we can do to protect these beautiful spaces for future generations.”