Annual Coastal Cleanup becomes month-long event

SAN FRANCISCO — Each year, the California Coastal Commission and partners throughout the state, including the City of Lodi, host a Coastal Cleanup event to tidy up the state’s waterways and beaches. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, instead of a one-day event the commission is announcing the first-ever Coastal Cleanup Month, to take place for the entire month of September.

The commission is calling on Californians to sweep their own neighborhoods, local parks, and local waterways for any trash in September, with the goal of less of that trash flowing downstream to the ocean. Cleanups can take place at any time, including during walks, but those who want to see their neighbors from a safe social distance are invited to turn out between 9 a.m. and noon each Saturday.

“The idea behind the cleanup this year is pretty simple actually: everything in California flows downhill to the coast,” Executive Director Jack Ainsworth said. “We may not be able to visit or gather at the cleanup sites that our volunteers have taken such good care of over these many years, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a positive impact on the health of the coast and ocean.”

Volunteers are asked to download and use the Clean Swell data collection app in order to record their finds and be counted towards the volunteer and trash totals, or to fill out and submit a paper data card, available in both English and Spanish. For guidelines or to download the card, visit www.coastalcleanupday.org.