46 Million Americans Volunteer for 250th Anniversary Cleanup

Thousands of volunteers across California are rolling up their sleeves this month to protect the places they love, from mountain streams to coastal beaches.

California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19 will welcome more than 50,000 volunteers at hundreds of sites statewide. The event marks 40 years of the state's largest annual volunteer effort, where everyday Californians prevent trash from reaching the Pacific Ocean by cleaning up local waterways, lakes and shorelines.

In Mono County, two cleanup sites are ready for helpers. Caltrans and the Mono Lake Committee will tackle Lundy Canyon from 8:30 a.m. to noon, where beavers have dammed up parts of Mill Creek. The Town of Mammoth Lakes will host its annual Lakes Basin Cleanup at Horseshoe Lake, complete with free breakfast for volunteers at 9 a.m.

Last year, 36,100 volunteers gathered at more than 750 California sites and removed 148 tons of trash and debris. About 75% of that debris was plastic, which can harm wildlife and introduce toxins into the environment.

One week later, National Public Lands Day arrives on September 26, bringing together tens of thousands more volunteers nationwide. Last year, more than 55,000 people participated in 900 events across the country, making it one of the nation's largest single-day volunteer efforts.

The Ripple Effect

These cleanup events are part of something bigger. The America250 campaign is tracking volunteer hours nationwide as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, with the goal of making 2026 a record-setting year for community service.

The 46 million volunteer hours already logged this year represent Americans from all 58 California counties and every state choosing to care for shared spaces. Each hour spent picking up trash or restoring trails strengthens the bond between neighbors and reminds communities that distance from the coast doesn't mean disconnection from it.

"California's coast and waterways belong to all of us, and Coastal Cleanup Day is a great way to give them a little love," said California State Parks Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. "It's also a fun way to get outside, connect with your community and make a difference, one piece of trash at a time."

Volunteers need only bring reusable gloves, buckets and water bottles, plus comfortable shoes and a willingness to help.

From creek beds in the Sierra Nevada to beaches along the Pacific, Americans are proving that caring for the natural world brings people together.