September 11, 2021
September marks the end of summer, then the beginning of school, and a special weekend when all of coastal California shows our gratitude for the beauty and wonder of great coastal places by rolling up our sleeves and cleaning litter, debris, and a remarkable amount of garbage.
Heal the bay Clean up at Venice Beach, About 400 Students and Volunteers help with the Monthly Clean-up, California by Peter Bennett
Due to COVID19, the Sierra Club has not set up events for its members, but we wanted to share local events that are being coordinated by Coastal Commission sanctioned NGO’s like Coastkeeper. We know many of our members and friends are anxious to get into the field and get dirty in the (COVID19 friendly) company of others doing our part to keep our natural spaces clean and safe.
Some of the 800 pounds of plastic beach debris gathered at a Long Beach Clean-up Day by John Nilsson
There are projects of all types from picking up items on a sandy beach or standing in a muddy wetland or estuary pickup shopping carts and stray boats, balls, and a great deal of Styrofoam. One year, I worked with a team that filled an entire container with debris from a small wetland area. Be safe and follow protocols for sun protection and use gloves, tools, and your common sense. Remember that homeless encampments on or near coastal spaces can sometimes bring unexpected hazards, so stay alert.
If you are in Orange County, start here: https://www.coastkeeper.org/get-involved/coastal-cleanup-day/
Here is a current list of clean up opportunities, if you know of more, please let us know in the comments: