On a bright Saturday morning, anglers, river lovers, and wildlife advocates gathered at the William B Pond Recreation Area with one shared goal: to protect the waterbirds that call the American River home. Our tools? Magnets!
The Waterbird Habitat Project hosted a magnet fishing clean-up, inviting the community to help retrieve abandoned fishing gear from the popular fishing deck and casting areas around Arden Pond. Volunteers came ready to make a difference, armed with magnets, hats, sunscreen, and a lot of heart.
Some brought their own equipment, while others borrowed magnets generously provided by American River Lost and Found, our community partner. As the morning sun rose higher, magnets were cast into the water again and again, pulling up gear that posed a hidden danger to birds and wildlife: fishing hooks, sinkers, lines, and even old tools lost beneath the surface.
The cleanup was the final step in a broader effort to make Arden Pond safer for wildlife. Earlier in the week, we cleared out aquatic plants that tend to snag gear and entangle birds. Removing the submerged gear was the last piece of the puzzle.
To make things fun, we offered prizes for the most gear recovered—a bit of friendly competition to keep the energy high and the magnets flying.
Why It Matters
Fishing gear injuries are one of the leading causes of harm to waterbirds in the American River ecosystem. Hooks and lines can become tangled in legs, wings, or beaks, and can even be ingested, often with fatal consequences. By removing this debris, we’re creating a safer environment for all the waterbirds and other wild species that rely on the river.Events like this show what’s possible when a community comes together. Whether you’re an angler, kayaker, birdwatcher, or just someone who cares — your actions make a real difference.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who showed up and pitched in. Every bit of discarded gear removed is a life potentially saved.
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