The 2010 California Coastal Cleanup Day is Ventura County’s premier coastal cleanup activity of the year. It is anticipated that the event will bring thousands of residents, businesses and non-profit organizations together to collect trash and debris at designated beaches, shorelines and inland areas while ultimately protecting Ventura County’s ocean resources and waterways.

Last year, 3,000 dedicated volunteers from Ventura County collected over 23,000 pounds of trash and recyclables. Statewide over 80,000 volunteers joined together to collect more than1.3 million pounds of debris from the California shorelines.

This year, Ventura County has initiated a new campaign message: Bring Your Own Bag, Bucket and Gloves!

Volunteers are encouraged to attend their local cleanup site and bring their own bucket or used grocery bag, gloves, and a reusable water bottle to lessen the amount of trash created during the event.

The California Coastal Commission and the Ventura County Coalition for Coastal and Inland Waterways comprised of both City and County agencies throughout Ventura County will once again sponsor this regional cleanup event.

Debris found on beaches and adjacent waterways throughout California include products such as cigarette filters, food wrappers, beverage bottles and cans, grocery and trash bags, and fishing line, nets and gear. Once these products enter local waterways they can travel thousands of miles on ocean currents, posing a threat to ocean ecosystems and wildlife along the way.

Thousands of marine animals die each year from becoming entangled in debris or from ingesting it. Marine debris can impact critical habitat, smothering sea grasses or dislodging or injuring corals. Debris can also pose human health and safety risks. Syringes, broken glass and other hazardous items pose obvious dangers to barefooted beach goers. Grocery and trash bags, fishing line, nets, rope and other debris can wrap around boat propellers and clog seawater intakes, causing costly damage and becoming a safety hazard. Medical and personal hygiene debris also has been found to enter our waterways when sewer systems fail or overflow, leading to the release of harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Saturday, September 25, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Numerous cleanup sites are available throughout Ventura County, they include: