Benicia, Find Your Local Coastal Cleanup Saturday

BENICIA, CA — Now that summer is nearing its end, it's time to say "thank you" to the many beautiful beaches, rivers and other waterways that have been serving us well all season. That's right, this September is Coastal Cleanup Month — and a statewide coastal cleanup day is about to get underway.

This Sept. 18, the shorelines of North Bay beaches, lakes, rivers and wetlands will not only see the familiar beach towels, surfboards, inflatables and fold-out chairs of visitors looking for a fun day in the sun — but also the efforts of countless residents picking up discarded trash.

According to the California Coastal Commission, in 2019 more than 74,000 volunteers picked up at least 900,000 pounds of litter from beaches and waterways throughout California.

The waterway cleanups start around 9 a.m. Saturday but for Benicia residents who can't make it to a nearby cleanup on Sept. 18, fear not — community members can participate in a self-guided neighborhood cleanup in a local park or open space area. According to the California Coastal Commission, all you need to do is download the CleanSwell app on your phone and clean on your own time throughout September.

Solano County Cleanups

In Benicia in 2019, more than 1,400 pounds of trash were collected by 297 volunteers at six cleanup sites in the city. Cleanups were held at Benicia State Recreation Area, near the Benicia Marina, and various parks near the shoreline.

"The city's storm drains empty directly into the Carquinez Strait, so any debris left on the streets, parks, and beaches can quickly end up in the water," according to CleanupSolano.org.

This year in Benicia, cleanups are planned 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at Lake Herman Park, West 14th Street Park, Turnbull Park, Matthew Turner Shipyard Park, First Street Peninsula and First Street Green.

Volunteers should meet at 9 a.m. at Alvarez 9th Street Park to pick up supplies, then walk or drive to their cleanup site of choice. Participants should return to 9th Street Park to dispose of trash. All supplies are provided but everyone is encouraged to bring their own reusable supplies.

Registration is required; go to this link for registration information. Free lunch will be served for those who pre-register. Cleanup supplies are available for those who are not able to bring their own.

In Vallejo, cleanups are planned Saturday at Cullinan Ranch, Glen Cove Waterfront Park, the Vallejo Marina and several other sites. Across Solano County, more than 30 cleanups are planned. Check out Cleanupsolano.org for complete information.

Napa County Cleanups

The Napa County Resource Conservation District — Napa RCD — is working closely with the California Coastal Commission to coordinate a safe and fun Coastal Cleanup 2021!

The following cleanups are planned Saturday around Napa County:

• Pioneer Park in Calistoga
• Jacob Meily Park in St. Helena
• Lake Berryessa
• Napa: Downtown Napa at Main & Pearl, Vintage High School, Oxbow Commons, Kennedy Park, Shurtleff Park, Vine Trail at Hartle Court (by the Animal Shelter), South Jefferson Wetlands and Mayacamas Preserve
• American Canyon: Community Park 1 & 2, Par Course & Kimberly Park, Silver Oak Park and Wetlands Edge Park

To register to participate in any of the above-listed Napa County events, go to Naparcd.org/cleanup2021.

Sonoma County Cleanups

The Sonoma Ecology Center Coastal Cleanup is also taking place Saturday at three sites: Agua Caliente Bridge, Larson Park Creek and Glen Ellen Calabasa Creek. Here is the link for more information and to register. Volunteers should bring a mask, sturdy walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, garden or work gloves, and a desire to give back!

In Petaluma, the nonprofit group Friends of the Petaluma River is hosting the Fall Petaluma River Cleanup at Steamer Landing Park, 6 Copeland St. To participate, residents need to sign up here. The cleanup will take place over at 10-15 creek sites. A barbecue for volunteers starts at 11:30 a.m. at Steamer Landing Park.

The Russian River Watershed Cleanup is planned from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday at 10 sites along the Russian River. According to Russian Riverkeeper, each volunteer gets a special thank you gift for participating.

More North Bay Cleanups

Elsewhere in the North Bay and along the North Coast, cleanups are slated Saturday at Drake's Beach and Kehoe Beach in Marin County; Cook's Beach, Point Arena and Russian River-Ukiah Valley in Mendocino County; and at Davis Beach and Clear Lake Campground in Lake County.

Here's a map of cleanups in the Bay Area and beyond: