The 27th annual Coastal Clean-up was a great success, with at least 4 crews cleaning up the Samoa Spit. At the North Jetty, we removed over 200 lbs of trash including nearly 500 cigarette butts, 3 tires, lots of fishing lines and ropes, and micro plastics.

Totals for Northern Humboldt from NEC:

     *866 volunteers
     *8,000 pounds of debris removed
     *35 beaches, rivers, sloughs cleaned

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and partner organizations at the Northcoast Environmental Center and Ocean Conservancy, and Debbie Topping for the photo! For more info, including past results and photos, visit the California Coastal Commission's Coastal Cleanup website.

Trash is more than just an eyesore on our beaches. Plastics and other non-biodegradeable items create safety hazards for beachgoers and fishermen, but also will eventually make their way out to sea, where they cause various impacts on seabirds, marine mammals, fish, and shellfish. 

In 2010, over 82,500 volunteers removed more than 1.2 million pounds of trash and recyclables from our beaches, lakes, and waterways. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by Ocean Conservancy and taking place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events in the world.