Staff Report
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Community members can become part of the solution to ocean pollution by helping out on Coastal Cleanup Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 21.
An international day of volunteer action, Coastal Cleanup Day (CCD) offers a chance for residents to give back to a favorite beach. With 27 sites from Carpinteria to Guadalupe, Coastal Cleanup Day unites the community for a common cause — clean beaches.
Research shows that 33 percent of shellfish, 25 percent of fish, and 67 percent of marine species in California contain plastics, primarily micro plastics. Participating in CCD is a way for people to make a difference and take a stand against marine debris.
“Coastal Cleanup Day is empowering because we can see the direct results of our actions,” said Jill Cloutier, Explore Ecology’s public relations director. “It might not seem like much — to go to the beach and pick up trash for a few hours. But, when thousands of us join together, we can make a huge difference.
“Last year, 1,149 Santa Barbara County volunteers picked up 3,530 pounds of trash and 971 pounds of recyclables. We’re hoping to make 2019 an even bigger success. Plus, when you volunteer for Coastal Cleanup Day, you’re not only cleaning the beach, you’re also joining the largest volunteer effort in California.”
Volunteers of all ages can participate at any of the 2019 cleanup sites. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged. To sign up, visit exploreecology.org/coastal-cleanup-day/. Each site will have a beach captain who will provide necessary instructions and supplies.
For more information, go to the website or call Rachel at 805-884-0459, ext. 16.
Explore Ecology urges volunteers to bring their own reusable gloves, bags or buckets, and water bottles to reduce waste and decrease the cleanup’s plastic footprint.
The statewide event is presented by the California Coastal Commission. In Santa Barbara County, the event is organized by Explore Ecology, with the support of Santa Barbara County Resource Recovery and Waste Management and the cities of Santa Barbara and Goleta and with the help of nonprofits, businesses, and individuals.
