About Takataka Club
Who Is Takataka Club?
Jambo! We are the Takataka Club, a group of eco-vigilantes going against the grain by being decent human beings. Since 2020, we’ve picked up over 5,000 bags of trash while working closely with CalTrans and the Forest Service.
How it All Started
In July 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, trash began piling up along the Angeles Crest Highway. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix this problem, Valerie Botta and her neighbor, Bette Cooper, grabbed bags, gloves, and trash pickers and started cleaning it up themselves every Tuesday morning.
Their effort quickly caught attention. Soon, Caltrans invited Valerie to adopt the stretch from La Cañada to Red Box through California’s Adopt-A-Highway program, providing supplies and hauling away the collected trash each week.
Volunteers soon joined in, and in the first year alone the group removed more than 2,000 bags of trash!
A group of trusty volunteers still meet every Tuesday from 8 to 9 a.m.—short and sweet—and thanks to their dedication, the Angeles Crest Highway remains remarkably clean.
Want to help? Join us next Tuesday!
Takataka Club FAQs
What are the different ways I can help Takataka Club?
- Volunteer with us every Tuesday morning to make a difference!
- Invite friends, neighbors, and colleagues to help Takataka Club.
- Donate custom vests, gas gift cards, and more.
Where and when does Takataka club meet?
We meet every Tuesday morning at 8:00am.
Meet us at the FIRST TURNOUT on the right when entering the Angeles Crest Highway via La Cañada. Please see the map below for precise location.
What should I wear?
- Durable pants that you don’t mind getting sweaty or dirty
- Closed toed shoes and tall socks
- Windbreaker, long sleeve shirt, or jacket
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
What should I bring and how should I prepare?
- IMPORTANT: If this is your first time joining us, you must sign a liability waiver here.
- Bring a water bottle (reusable!)
- Try not to come hungry, there are no food options in the mountains
- There are no viable public restrooms nearby. Please do your business before coming🙃
- Cell reception is spotty or not available on the Angeles Crest Highway. Please make sure to make note of the meeting spot and use a GPS mapping app so you don’t get lost.
Does Takataka Club offer supplies, or do I need to bring my own?
We will provide vests, bags, gloves, and pickers. If you have your own special gloves or picker you prefer to use instead, bring them along if you’d like!
Are dogs or kids allowed at Takataka Club cleanups?
Dogs and kids are welcome on the Saturday cleanups with strict parent/owner supervision.
Don’t forget that especially in the summer months it can get quite hot, so it may not be appropriate to bring your furry friend on those particular days.
Does the city or state help with funding for Takataka club?
The State of California Caltrans supports us with basic equipment like bags, pickers, vests, gloves, helmets and protective glasses. They also collect all our full trash bags after our pick up is completed.
Does Takataka club meet on any other days than Tuesday?
Every few months we’ll occasionally do a Saturday cleanup.
Stay tuned!
Where does the name “Takataka Club” come from, or what does that word mean?
TAKATAKA means trash in Kiswahili! We love it as it has a nice ring to it!
Updates from Takataka Club
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Takataka Club Featured in Outlook Valley Sun
“Cleaning Angeles Crest Highway Is No Waste of Time for This Club” – Noticing the buildup of trash during hikes in the Angeles National Forest, La Cañada Flintridge resident Valerie Botta decided to take action, teaming up with her neighbor to start cleaning it up themselves.
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KTLA5 Video Feature: Angeles National Forest Cleanup Underway
KTLA’s Shelby Nelson reports about the Takataka club, a dedicated volunteer group who is doing its best to clean up the Angeles National Forest.
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License to Chill Podcast – Matt Culhane of the Takataka Club
Cleaning Up Los Angeles with Matt Culhane of the Takataka Club – This week, Patrick from the “License to Chill” podcast ventures out into the wilderness with the Takataka Club to help keep LA beautiful.
Stay in the Know!