Join in California Coastal Cleanup Day, Sept. 21

Byline: Ambrosia Brody

Join in California Coastal Cleanup Day, Sept. 21

Boaters and beachgoers have an opportunity to play a role in helping to rid local coastal waters of trash and debris during this year’s California Coastal Cleanup Day, Sept. 21. Volunteers in Southern California will find many cleanups in which they can get involved.

Held annually, the cleanups allow the public to help rid beaches, harbors, creeks and waterways of trash after a summer of fun.

Launched in 1985, Coastal Cleanup Day has grown into an international event held in more than 90 countries around the world.

In San Diego County, volunteers can help from 9-11 a.m. at various sites. For more information or a complete list of cleanup sites, visit cleanupday.org. Oceanside’s Buccaneer Beach, Del Mar’s San Diegito Lagoon and Mission Bay’s Fiesta Island are a few of the places where volunteers are being sought.

Visit ocparks.com for a list of cleanup locations in Orange County. Volunteers can lend a hand at the Balboa Pier (off Balboa Boulevard at Main and Ocean Front Street). Contact Michelle Claud-Clemente (949) 644-3036 or mclemente@newportbeacgca.gov.

Bolsa Chica State Beach will host a cleanup in front of the lifeguard headquarters building, at 17851 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. Contact Melanie Launius at (714) 377-9073 for more information.

Crystal Cove State Park will also welcome volunteers to clean up the local sands. Contact Winter Bonnin at (949) 497-7647 for more information. Volunteers are to report to the Reef Point Parking Lot or Pelican Point Parking lot.

Dana Point Harbor is hosting two cleanup events, including a Cigarette Butt Roundup from 9 a.m.-noon and an Underwater Cleanup from 8 a.m.-noon.

“Once a cigarette butt hits the ground, wind and rain carry it into the ocean, where the toxic chemicals in the filter threaten the quality of the water, and aquatic plants and animals, said OC Dana Point Harbor director Brad Gross. “The removal of cigarette butts from the areas surrounding the marina will make a significant impact on water quality in Dana Point Harbor.

“OC Dana Point Harbor is also extremely pleased with the success of our underwater cleanups,” he added. “Over the years, since implementation, the cleanups have removed more than 30,000 pounds of debris from the harbor floor and continue to be a critical part of our successful Water Quality Improvement Program.”

Volunteers for the roundup will meet in the Dana West Marina Parking Lot at B Dock, to check in. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bag or bucket, gloves and a reusable water bottle. To register for the roundup, call (949) 499-4499.

Divers for the Underwater Cleanup event are to meet at B Dock, West Basin. Open water-certified divers, kayakers and other volunteers may register and obtain more information by contacting Dana West Marina at (949) 493-6222.

For a list of cleanup sites in Los Angeles County, visit healthebay.org.

At Seal Beach, there will be several cleanup sites and a Walk for the Beach event, which starts at 15 First St. Contact Kim Masoner at (562) 884-6764 for more information.

Volunteers can lend a hand at the Ballona Wetlands (303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey); at Redondo Beach (2 Pearl St. at the Terminus of Torrance Boulevard); and at Cabrillo State Beach (3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro). For information, visit cabrillomarineaquarium.org.

Kayakers can help out during the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation’s (SMBRF) ninth annual Marina del Rey Kayak Cleanup Day. As the only kayak cleanup site, the SMBRF event is hugely popular each year and books up early.

Early signups will have a chance to secure use of a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard from SMBRF. However, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own kayaks or SUPs to use on the day of the cleanup. SMBRF will provide small nets for volunteers to pick up trash from the ocean.

Last year, the SMBRF kayak event drew 160 volunteers — and collected 158 pounds of trash and 33 pounds of recyclables.

“Coastal Cleanup Day is about getting the community involved with their local environment.  When people are introduced to the environment that they love, whether it be the ocean, local beaches, lakes or streams, and see it in a state of disrepair, they realize they need to protect it,” said Michelle Staffield, Water Quality Programs Manager. “Ultimately, we hope the experience will inspire people to take action to ensure a healthy and clean environment for generations to come.”

SMBRF event sponsors include Pacific Mariners Yacht Club, UCLA Marina Aquatic Center, REI, Marina Harbor Anchorage and Pro SUP Shop. Marina del Rey Outrigger and Canoe Club will be providing land-based volunteers.

The post-event celebration at the Pacific Mariners Yacht Club will feature lunch donated by Chipotle — an SMBRF certified Clean Bay Restaurant — and raffle prizes provided by Arbor Collective, Cheesecake Factory, the Counter Burger and REI.

For questions on signing up with your own kayak, or being added to the wait list, email Victoria Ippolito, CCD coordinator, at vippolito@santamonicabay.org.

Santa Barbara County will host a variety of cleanup sites. For a complete list, visit lessismore.org/pages/coastal-cleanup-day-in-santa-barbara-county. Butterfly Beach, West Beach, East Beach and Miramar Beach are just a few of the cleanup locations available.

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