September 19, 2009
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Drakes Beach
Meet in front of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center

California Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual event which occurs on the third Saturday of September. California Coastal Cleanup Day is the premier volunteer event focused on the marine environment in the country. On this day, 50,000 volunteers turn out to over 700 cleanup sites statewide to conduct what has been hailed by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the largest garbage collection" (1993). Since the program started in 1985, over 750,000 Californians have removed more than 12 million pounds of debris from our state's shorelines and coast. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by The Ocean Conservancy and taking place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events of the year.

The Drakes Beach cleanup is sponsored by Point Reyes National Seashore, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Environmental Action Committee of West Marin and Point Reyes National Seashore Association. This is an annual effort in California, when citizens come out to help collect data and clean up our beaches. Meet in front of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach at 10 a.m. to pick up supplies. Contact Kim Hawkins at 415-464-5130 or by email for more details. If you plan on bringing a school class, a Scout Troop, or other group of 10 or more people, please contact Kim Hawkins at least 2 weeks in advance. Or visit the California Coastal Commission's Coastal Cleanup Day page for information about other locations.

2009 California Coastal Cleanup Day at Drakes Beach Flyer (290 KB PDF)

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Beach Clean Up Volunteers.

Safety is our first priority for any beach cleanup. Even the cleanest-looking beach can hide dangers under the sand. Nails, broken glass, hypodermic needles...even an unexploded grenade have been found during Coastal Cleanup Days. Everybody that joins a beach cleanup is required to sign the California Coastal Commission's waiver form. Members of school groups, scout troops, and any person under the age of 18 will need a signature from a parent or guardian to participate in the cleanup. Forms are also available at cleanup sites on Coastal Cleanup Day.

Coastal Cleanup Day is the highlight of the California Coastal Commission's year-round Adopt-A-Beach program and takes place every year on the third Saturday of September, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In 2009, that day falls on September 19. Coming at the end of the summer beach season and right near the start of the school year, Coastal Cleanup Day is a great way for families, students, service groups, and neighbors to join together, take care of our fragile marine environment, show community support for our shared natural resources, learn about the impacts of marine debris and how we can prevent them, and to have fun. Coastal Cleanup Day is also the kick-off event for Coastweeks — three weeks of coastal and water-related events for the whole family.

The world's rubbish dump: a garbage tip that stretches from Hawaii to Japan
By Kathy Marks, Asia-Pacific Correspondent, and Daniel Howden, The Independent, Tuesday, 5 February 2008

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