From inland to the sea, volunteers fan out to clean up California’s coast

The trash littered the pristine coastline, dotting the sand and waterline, a sad sight for one of the state’s most cherished destinations.

Further inland, debris gathered in gutters, parks, lakes and streams – and if left behind, would likely one day make its way down to the ocean.

But thousands of helpers came out to care for the waterways and beaches, from the mountains to the sea, as part of the state’s largest volunteer effort.

Mark Matsuda with the city of Orange gets ready to haul away part of a couch removed from Santiago Creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Volunteers were removing trash as part of the international 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Long Beach volunteers pick up debris on Saturday, Sept. 18, marking the a return of the in-person, single-day California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo courtesy Justin Rudd
Three-year-old Hudson Koepnick is happy to help his dad Brandon Koepnick pick up trash from Santiago Creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. “He likes cleaning up the environment,” Brandon Koepnick said, adding that his son got an early 4th birthday gift: grabbers to help him pick up trash. They were taking part in the 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Volunteer Niki Brice carries trash out of Santiago Creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021.
She was taking part in the 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day, an international effort. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Volunteer Niki Brice throws away trash she retrieved from the Santiago Creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. She was taking part in the 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day, an international effort. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Julietta Galera, left, and her mom Pamela Galera with Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance, remove part of a couch from the creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Volunteers were taking part in the international 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Three-year-old Hudson Koepnick removes a water cup from Santiago Creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. He was with his dad, Brandon Koepnick, and younger brother during the 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Three-year-old Hudson Koepnick removes an aerosol can from Santiago Creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. He was with his dad, Brandon Koepnick, and younger brother during the 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Volunteers with the Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance take part in the 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Julietta Galera, left, and her mom Pamela Galera with Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance remove part of a couch from the creek at Hart Park in Orange on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Volunteers were taking part in the international 23rd annual Inner-Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The collective action on Saturday, Sept. 18, marked a return for the in-person, single-day California Coastal Cleanup Day. Last year it was held as a virtual month-long effort because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, though organizers also urge people to still continue this weekend’s effort throughout the month and pick up trash in their own neighborhoods before it can make its way to the ocean.

Saturday also coincided with International Cleanup Day, one of the largest global volunteer campaigns aimed at making sure the coast is clear.

Since 1985, more than 1.6 million people have removed more than 26 million pounds of trash during California Coastal Cleanup Day.

It was Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 18, 2021. An international day of action to protect our oceans, watersheds, and wildlife from trash and debris. This year, there were more than 30+ cleanup sites to choose from throughout L.A. County. Torrance Beach, one of the largest stretches of coastline in the South Bay has lots of people cleaning up the sand. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
It was Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 18, 2021. An international day of action to protect our oceans, watersheds, and wildlife from trash and debris. This year, there were more than 30+ cleanup sites to choose from throughout L.A. County. Torrance Beach, one of the largest stretches of coastline in the South Bay has lots of people cleaning up the sand. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
It was Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 18, 2021. An international day of action to protect our oceans, watersheds, and wildlife from trash and debris. This year, there were more than 30+ cleanup sites to choose from throughout L.A. County. Torrance Beach, one of the largest stretches of coastline in the South Bay has lots of people cleaning up the sand. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
It was Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 18, 2021. An international day of action to protect our oceans, watersheds, and wildlife from trash and debris. This year, there were more than 30+ cleanup sites to choose from throughout L.A. County. Torrance Beach, one of the largest stretches of coastline in the South Bay has lots of people cleaning up the sand. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
It was Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 18, 2021. An international day of action to protect our oceans, watersheds, and wildlife from trash and debris. This year, there were more than 30+ cleanup sites to choose from throughout L.A. County. Torrance Beach, one of the largest stretches of coastline in the South Bay has lots of people cleaning up the sand. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
It was Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 18, 2021. An international day of action to protect our oceans, watersheds, and wildlife from trash and debris. This year, there were more than 30+ cleanup sites to choose from throughout L.A. County. Torrance Beach, one of the largest stretches of coastline in the South Bay has lots of people cleaning up the sand including Kristina and Erika Glass of Redondo Beach. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
California Coastal Cleanup Day is going back to being a one-day event, this year on Sept. 18, rather than the entire month like last year when the coronavirus pandemic prohibited gatherings. (File photo: Ana Venegas/SCNG)
California Coastal Cleanup Day is going back to being a one-day event, this year on Sept. 18, rather than the entire month like last year when the coronavirus pandemic prohibited gatherings. (Mindy Schauer/SCNG)
California Coastal Cleanup Day is going back to being a one-day event, this year on Sept. 18, rather than the entire month like last year when the coronavirus pandemic prohibited gatherings.(Photo by Geronimo Quitoriano)
It was Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 18, 2021. An international day of action to protect our oceans, watersheds, and wildlife from trash and debris. This year, there were more than 30+ cleanup sites to choose from throughout L.A. County. Torrance Beach, one of the largest stretches of coastline in the South Bay has lots of people cleaning up the sand including Erika and Kristina glass of Redondo Beach. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

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