With temperatures predicted to be in the 70s this Memorial weekend, Monterey Bay beaches are bound to see a high-volume of visitors. This is great for the local economy, but is potentially messy for waste management and water quality along the coast. To manage the inundation, marine conservation nonprofit Save Our Shores will be providing their annual pollution prevention outreach on Memorial Day, bracketed by mass cleanup efforts across the Monterey Bay the morning before and after the holiday. The nonprofit is seeking volunteers.
OUTREACH: Pollution prevention outreach will take place at the two most visited beaches in the Monterey Bay:
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May 29th: Cowell/Main Beach in Santa Cruz (12-4pm)
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May 29th: Del Monte Beach in Monterey (12-4pm)
The outreach effort is a part of the nonprofit’s 2017 Holiday Relief Program to reduce litter at hotspot beaches on Memorial, Independence and Labor Day from entering the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. By reminding beachgoers to enjoy their holiday responsibly and offering ways to do so, Save Our Shores removes significantly less waste during mass cleanup efforts at hotspot beaches. Last year, SOS volunteers and staff managed to hand out 538 bags at Cowell/Main Beach in Santa Cruz on Memorial Day.
Save Our Shores is seeking volunteers to help with the effort. Volunteers will connect with thousands of unprepared beachgoers by handing out free trash bags and talking to visitors about the impact their waste can have on marine wildlife and marine ecosystems. Volunteer education will be provided, email volunteer@saveourshores.org for more information.
CLEANUPS: Memorial holiday cleanups are scheduled on the morning of May 28th and May 30th at multiple beaches across the Monterey Bay:
Santa Cruz County Cleanups:
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May 28th: Davenport Main Beach, supported by Santa Cruz County (9-11am)
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May 28th: Cowell/Main Beach, supported by the City of Santa Cruz (9-11am)
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May 30th: Panther State Beach, supported by Ponderosa High Adopt-a-Beach (11am-noon)
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May 30th: Cowell/Main Beach, supported by the City of Santa Cruz (9-11am)
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May 30th: Corcoran Lagoon, supported by the City of Santa Cruz (9-11am)
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May 30th: Capitola Beach, supported by the City of Capitola (9-11am)
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May 30th: Palm State Beach, supported by Watsonville Charter School for the Arts (9-11am)
Monterey County Cleanups:
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May 30th: Del Monte Beach, in Monterey (9-11am)
Last year, 70 volunteers helped Save Our Shores prevent nearly 790 pounds of waste from entering the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The nonprofit also encourages local businesses to offer their employees the opportunity to volunteer at Tuesday morning cleanups in an effort to increase employee awareness about shoreline health and lead by example.
Save Our Shores asks all volunteers to dress in layers, wear sun protection, and bring a full reusable water bottle. Cleanup supplies will be provided at each site; however, the nonprofit encourages people to bring their own reusable buckets, gloves, and trash grabbers to help reduce waste. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All of Save Our Shores’ cleanups happen rain or shine.
For more information about volunteering at Save Our Shores Memorial Day Holiday Relief beach cleanups and pollution outreach events, please visit their online community calendar at saveourshores.org/calendar or email volunteer@saveourshores.org
Save Our Shores 2017 Holiday Relief and Pollution Prevention Program is made possible thanks to dedicated partners and sponsors: Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works, City of Santa Cruz, City of Capitola, City of Monterey, Whale City Bakery, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fish Hopper, Richard Schmidt Surf School, Santa Cruz County Bank, Dream Inn, Craft Gallery, Fish Hopper, Gayle’s Bakery, Monterey Regional, Waste Management District, Ristorante Avanti, Watsonville Charter School for the Arts, Ponderosa High.
