Registration Now Open for Orange County Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19
Orange County Coastkeeper expects thousands to gather to pick up trash across 91 miles of coastline
ORANGE COUNTY, September 4, 2015 – Orange County residents can now sign up to participate in Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19. Volunteers across the state head to California’s coast and inland waters by the thousands to lend their hands in support of clean beaches and waterways. This year, Orange County Coastkeeper and Jim Meyer with Trails4All take on all 42-cleanup sites in Orange County—organizing site captains and volunteer registration. The cleanup efforts help collect trash and debris from sites spanning across 91 miles of coastline.
Last year, 7,053 Orange County volunteers collected more than 67,000 pounds of trash and recyclable materials during the three-hour event. With increased awareness about the impact of water pollution, Coastkeeper aims to beat that mark this year.
“Most people don’t think about their personal impact on pollution until they see items lying on the sand that they throw away every day,” says Courtney James, Orange County Coastkeeper’s coastal cleanup director. “It is nothing short of inspiring to see thousands of people cleaning our waters and realizing that they can influence the future of our natural environment.”
Vast amounts of debris litter the world’s waters causing harm to oceans, wildlife, coastal economies and beach-goers. Beaches serve as collecting spots for trash that travels from city streets and highways via inland waterways, storm drains, sewers and on the wind. Beach cleanups stand as a last line of defense to prevent debris from entering the ocean.
Coastkeeper aspires to accomplish a zero-waste event and asks that volunteers bring their own cleanup supplies including a bucket or reusable bag, gloves and reusable water bottle. In addition to volunteering, residents and businesses can support Coastal Cleanup Day with donations and sponsorships.
To register for Coastal Cleanup Day and find the site closest to you, visit www.coastkeeper.org/ccd. For more information, contact Courtney James at courtney@coastkeeper.org.
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ORANGE COUNTY COASTKEEPER: Founded in 1999, the mission of Coastkeeper is to protect and promote sustainable water resources that are swimmable, drinkable, and fishable. Coastkeeper is a nonprofit clean water organization that serves as a proactive steward of our fresh- and saltwater ecosystems. We work collaboratively with diverse groups in the public and private sectors to achieve healthy, accessible, and sustainable water resources for the region. We implement innovative, effective programs in education, advocacy, restoration, research, enforcement, and conservation. For more information, visit www.coastkeeper.org or call 714-850-1965.
