SLO County Coastal Cleanup Day 2008

"It is a curious situation that the sea, from which life first arose should now be threatened by the activities of one form of that life. But the sea, though changed in a sinister way, will continue to exist; the threat is rather to life itself." – Rachel Carson

Coastal Cleanup Day Results!

The 24th annual Coastal Cleanup Day was a huge success! 1,290 Volunteers throughout SLO County collected 4,611 pounds of marine debris, including 2,970 pounds of trash and 1,641 pounds of recyclables. The cleanup effort stretched over 70 miles, including sites as far north as San Simeon State Beach and as far south as Point Sal. Some of the most unusual finds included: a pair of Victoria Secrets underwear at Fiscalini Ranch, a glow stick at Pismo Pier, and pieces of a sunken boat at Morro Bay Sandspit, as well as the state winner for most unusual item found: a 55 pounds of multi-colored dog hair at Morro Strand South. Please click here for the results from each cleanup site!

SLO County volunteers took part in a statewide effort in which over 60,000 volunteers turned out in 48 counties statewide to conduct "the largest garbage collection" (Guinness Book of World Records, 1993) on over 2,100 miles of shoreline. Click here to read about the Preliminary Statewide Results.

The litter that is dropped on our sidewalks and streets eventually makes its way to our waterways and oceans. According to the United Nations Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP), land-based sources account for up to 80% of the world’s marine pollution. We all share the responsibility to keep our waterways, beaches and oceans clean, wherever we are. Click here to learn about the types of trash collected on Coastal Clenaup Day and what you can do to help!  If you couldn’t make it this year, don’t worry! Coastal Cleanup Day is always the third Saturday in September, so save the date for next year!

A special thanks to all our Site Captains, volunteers and sponsors who helped make this event possible!

For more information about the local cleanup, or to get involved with other volunteer events, please contact ECOSLO at (805) 544-1777 or e-mail us at info.ecoslo.org. For information about the statewide cleanup, please call Eben Schwartz of the California Coastal Commission at (415) 904-5210.

Coastal Cleanup day 2008

Next Year's Cleanup

We all share in the responsibility to keep our waterways, beaches and oceans clean, wherever we are. If you missed the cleanup this year, don't worry, Coastal Cleanup Day always falls on the third Saturday of every September, so save the date for next year! Want to stay informed about next year's cleanup? Sign up for email alerts about Coastal Cleanup Day in SLO County.

Thank our Sponsors!
Please give your business to the sponsors of our 2008 SLO Coastal Cleanup Day below, whose generous support made this event possible!

Sea Turtle Sponsors
Chevron
County of San Luis Obispo Storm Water Management
Sempra

Albatross Sponsors
Information Press
French Hospital
Mission Community Bank
Moondoggies
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
-- New Frontiers
Surfrider Foundation, San Luis Bay Chapter

Sea Star Sponsors
HopeDance
Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club
Utopia
Boston Bagel Co.
Peet's Coffee and Tea

More Information

• Visit the California Coastal Commission's website. Official sponsor of the event in the state of California.
• Visit the Ocean Conservancy's website. Official sponsor of the international event. Includes statistics about marine debris from around the world.