Volunteers Prevent 5,458lbs of Pollution from Entering Monterey Bay

Volunteers and their trash collection pile at Blacks Beach.

On September 23, 2023, Save Our Shores (SOS) announced the results of the 2023 Annual Coastal Cleanup Day for Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. With the help of over 1,280 volunteers, SOS tackled 50 cleanup sites spanning from Año Nuevo State Beach in the North to Andrew Molera State Park in the South. This event is part of a larger international effort, making it the largest volunteer event on the planet. Volunteers successfully removed over 4,764 pounds of trash and 694 pounds of recyclables in just three hours, with notable achievements at Lompico Creek with 114 volunteers and 1316 lbs of debris removed at Seacliff State Beach. Save Our Shores Executive Director Erica Donnelly-Greenan thanked site captains for returning cleanup supplies and expressed gratitude to the local nonprofits, businesses, and community members who joined forces to keep the bay clean and healthy. Save Our Shores encourages people to visit their website in the coming week for updates on the final tally of site statistics.

Save Our Shores has been the regional coordinator for the Annual Coastal Cleanup Day since its inception in 1984. It is no secret that trash and pollution found along the coast and inland parks and waterways significantly impact the health of marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems. The annual cleanup event serves as a powerful example of how collective efforts can bring about positive change and make a significant difference in preserving the environment.