Celebrating 40 Years of Annual Coastal Cleanup Day

On September 21, Save Our Shores celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Annual Coastal Cleanup Day in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. With the incredible support of 1,588 volunteers, SOS successfully cleaned up 56 sites from Año Nuevo State Beach to Andrew Molera State Park, preventing 7,588 pounds of pollution from entering Monterey Bay.

This event, part of a global initiative, stands as the largest volunteer effort worldwide. Since 1984, SOS has been at the forefront of this regional cleanup, showcasing the power of community action in protecting our precious ecosystems.

In just three hours, volunteers removed 6,976 pounds of trash and 612 pounds of recyclables. Highlights of the day included clearing 1,345 pounds of debris from Zmudowski State Beach and the impressive turnout of 103 volunteers at Del Monte Beach!

The success of this event underscores the power of community collaboration. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the volunteers, local nonprofits, businesses, and community members who made this day possible. Your dedication and hard work are creating a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship and a cleaner, healthier bay. Together, we are making a tangible difference!