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Annual Beach Cleanup Calls For Volunteers
A volunteer for the Orange County Coast Keeper picks up debris in Huntington Beach
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Matthew Sylvester Orange County Coast Keeper
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Orange County Coast Keeper
)
Topline:
Over 30,000 volunteers will flood beaches and waterways across the state to collect debris and trash. It's the largest annual volunteer event in California.
Why it matters: Debris like cigarettes and plastics degrade water quality, and enter the food chain. This could make some fish unsafe to eat. The coastal garbage is also harmful to wildlife.
The backstory: September 23rd marks the 39th year of the beach clean up effort. It includes not only beaches, but also inland rivers and lakes.
Sponsored message
Matthew Sylvester is the communications director for the Orange County Coast Keeper. He says in 2021, the Army-sized volunteer force picked up 350,000 pounds of trash.
What's next: California has a statewide goal of zero waste along its waterways by 2030. It plans to implement river boons and cleaning machines in order to reach that goal.
Want to participate?: It's not too late to sign up. Visit the California Coastal Commission website to find a site.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
