Wagga Wagga City Council is inviting the community to roll up their sleeves and take part in a dedicated Clean Up Australia Day event at Silvalite Reserve on Sunday 8 March 2026.
Facilitated by Sustainable Wagga Wagga, the event will run from 10am to 11.30am, bringing residents together to help protect one of the city's most significant natural areas while contributing to Australia's largest community-based environmental action.
Held annually on the first Sunday in March, Clean Up Australia Day encourages individuals, schools and organisations to take practical steps to tackle litter and care for local environments.
Participants collect rubbish from parks, streets and waterways while building awareness about waste and inspiring positive change.
The Silvalite Reserve clean-up is being held a week after official Clean Up Australia Day 2026 events (held on Sunday 1 March) to enable people to participate in more than one community initiative.
Council's Cadet Environmental Officer Matilda Kaylock is encouraging locals to join the Silvalite Reserve event or register their own clean-up site with friends, family, colleagues or classmates.
"Since 1989, Clean Up Australia Day has seen participation from over 23 million volunteers, and Wagga Wagga City Council is really proud to continue that tradition in 2026 in partnership with our community," Ms Kaylock said.
"Events like the Silvalite Reserve clean-up are a great example of how working together - on Clean Up Australia Day and beyond - contributes to a cleaner, healthier city that benefits everyone."
Located west of Wagga Wagga and running parallel to the Olympic Highway, the 34-hectare reserve forms part of a vital wildlife corridor stretching from Willans Hill through Birramal Conservation Area to Pomingalarna Reserve.
The corridor enables native species to move across the landscape to access habitat and food.
ErinEarth Environmental Educator Poppy Vandermark and Garden Manager Eltan Mestan were also on site to encourage the community to come along, be part of the action and make a positive impact locally.
"Community initiatives like the Silvalite Reserve clean-up do more than raise awareness: it's participation that helps inspire real change," Ms Vandermark said.
"By participating in environmental activities like Clean Up Australia Day - alongside friends, family, and neighbours - we move beyond conversation and help foster a stronger, shared commitment to protecting our environment."
