Coastal Cleanup Day Comes To California Beaches, Waterways

On Saturday, Sept. 15 thousands will meet at inland and coastal sites to clean up California's beaches and waterways from 9 a.m. until noon, according to the California Coastal Commission. This volunteer driven event couldn't come at a better time, according to a CCC spokesperson.

"It's time to acknowledge a big problem," they said over social media. All along the coast of the Golden State, birds, fish and mammals can mistake plastic for food.

In coordination with a statewide and global movement, both the Coastal Commission, Heal the Bay and the volunteers from cities across California will "make a big dent in removing trash and debris from the environment," a representative from Heal the Bay said.

Last year, during Coastal Cleanup Day, Heal the Bay's estimates said that volunteers removed "800,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s coast and inland waterways in only three hours."

That is power in numbers, they said.

As for the sea life this effort helps, "245 different species have been found to have ingested marine debris," California Coastal Commission spokesperson said. That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problem waste left behind on beaches creates for California's local marine wildlife.

More than 56 percent of cetacean species have actually eaten some form of plastic, or become entangled in plastic trash, they said. Efforts to clean up have been heralded by artist Matt Stanton Beard, who has shared his artwork with the California Coast Commission, to encourage Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers.

Beard spent over 15 years working toward a goal of painting the entire California coast, he said. Beard gave a "thank you" to all who are planning on "getting out there and do your part on September 15, and beyond." For more information about his artwork, visit: MattBeardArt.com

What does it take to help solve the problem? How about encouraging the kiddos to set aside a few hours of Fortnite to wield a trash bag instead of a virtual pickax?

On Saturday morning, thousands will meet at volunteer centers along the beach or at inland waterways to clean the sensitive environs of debris before they cause more harm.

Want to sign up? Register for your coastal cleanup day at a beach near you here.

Other ways to participate include:

• Share: Keep track of these hashtags: #CoastalCleanupDay and #SuitUpToCleanup. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
• Partnerships: From dynamic meetups, outdoor fitness activities and lively entertainment to food and beverage offers, there are multiple ways to take part, so let’s do something great together. Contact us.
• Fundraising: We invite you to turn your wild idea into a creative crowdfunding campaign for Heal the Bay. Get started.
• Sponsorships: Make the day-of Coastal Cleanup Day a rewarding experience for thousands of participants and earn some goodwill in the process. Learn more.
• Donations: Help us hold polluters accountable, keep our beaches safe and clean, and inspire thousands of kids and families each year to become ocean stewards. Give now.
• Waivers: Spanish, English, Korean
• NEW! 2018 Posters: This year’s posters feature iconic locations where cleanups are hosted, illustrated by Semira Chadorchi, are available for download: Spanish (JPG), English (JPG) and Korean (JPG)

In Los Angeles, find Coastal Cleanup Opportunities. Elsewhere in California, call or email for more information.

Artwork courtesy California Coastal Cleanup, Matthew Beard