The Team

Coordinating Committee

Bob Clemons – Chair

Bob was raised in Hacienda on the Russian River where he learned to paddle a canoe. He was employed in 1974 by W.C. “Bob” Trowbridge Canoe Trips (now River’s Edge Kayak and Canoe) as sweep boatman, cleaning litter off of the beaches and access paths to the Russian River from Cloverdale to Mirabel.  In 1980, Bob was hired full time as the operations manager.  In 1986, Bob coordinated with the newly formed Sequoia Canoe Club (now the Sequoia Paddlers), which he was a member, and other volunteers to provide canoes to extract debris, other than litter, from the river.

When the Sequoia Paddling Club, gave up the role as organizers of the clean up effort, Bob took on the role of the Chair of the Russian River Watershed Cleanup Committee, a position in which he continues today. 

Carroll Hirsch – Committee Member

Carroll Hirsch has assisted in the organization of the Russian River Watershed Cleanup since 1996, and a co-leader in 1997. Carroll’s continued involvement in the Cleanup effort stems from her strong convictions that people should be connected to and care for the river, and that we all need to develop a sense of stewardship for the earth.

Debora Fudge – Mayor, Town of Windsor

In 1990, shortly after moving to Sonoma County, Debora attended the second annual Russian River Watershed Cleanup as a result of an ad she saw in the Sierra Club Needles newspaper. It was a small event, with only 35 volunteers that day, and the group provided their own picnic at the end. As an employee at PG&E, and Debora thought that she could enlist the help of her company as a sponsor for the next year’s cleanup, which included T-shirts and a barbeque for all participants. Debora’s insight paid off. In 1991, she was able to get a large number of her co-workers to volunteer for the event. She also submitted a grant application to the corporation and since then, PG&E has contributed $2500 each year.

Debora has used her organizational and leadership skills to step up the involvement in the cleanup effort. 2008 represents her 19th year with the Russian River Watershed Cleanup committee.

Carl Inglin – Secretary

Carl is a Sonoma County native who learned to canoe and kayak on the Russian River many years ago. His involvement with the Russian River Watershed Cleanup began in 1990, the cleanup’s second year. Carl serves as a route leader and occasionally, as the organization's secretary.

Nancy Pec – Treasurer

Nancy’s husband has been a canoe leader on the annual cleanups, so her first experience was participating as a volunteer in a canoe with him.  Her husband had been a leader in the Cleanup Committee so Nancy would occasionally join him at the meetings.  About four years ago, at one memorable meeting that she wasn’t able to attend, her husband volunteered her as the committee’s treasurer.  She quickly learned to not miss any more meetings.  Since then, she has been the treasurer for the cleanup committee.  She is responsible for all accounting responsibilities for this non-profit organization. 

Nancy makes sure that all cleanup participants have plenty of supplies on the day of the event.  Most of her work comes after the day of the cleanup when all the bills are due. 

Section Leaders

Students and faculty from area schools

•  Healdsburg High School
•  Cloverdale High School
•  Windsor High School
•  El Molino High School
•  Cardinal Newman High School
• Ursuline High School
• Geyserville High School
• Guerneville Elementary School
•  Westside School
•  Monte Rio School
•  Sonoma State University

Church of Latter Day Saints

Sonoma County Water Agency

PG&E

California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region

Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers

Russian Riverkeeper