900 Volunteers Clear 30 Miles of California Coast

When 900 volunteers showed up to Ventura County beaches and waterways last year, they didn't just pick up trash. They proved that when a community cares about the ocean, amazing things happen.

California's annual Coastal Cleanup Day returns Saturday, September 19, bringing together neighbors from across Ventura County to protect local coastlines. From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers will gather at 23 official locations stretching from inland creeks to sandy beaches.

The cleanup sites range from Camarillo's Calleguas Creek to the stunning Mugu Rock Beach in Oxnard. Ventura's Crooked Palm Preserve and San Buenaventura State Beach are also welcoming helpers who want to make a difference.

No experience is necessary, and registration isn't required. Volunteers just need to show up, sign a waiver, and bring their own reusable bucket, gloves, and water bottle if possible. Extra supplies will be provided at each location for anyone who needs them.

State Assemblymember Steve Bennett is partnering with local organizations for a special cleanup at Oxnard's Ormond Beach wetland. Volunteers there will do more than pick up trash. They'll plant native seeds, remove invasive species, and learn from biologists about the incredible habitat that coastal wildlife calls home.

The Ripple Effect

Last year's event cleared 29.3 miles of coastline and removed 7,687 pounds of trash and recyclables. But the real impact goes far beyond those impressive numbers.

Over three decades, California Coastal Cleanup Day has welcomed more than 1.6 million volunteers who've removed over 26 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways. Every bottle collected, every piece of plastic picked up means safer waters for sea turtles, dolphins, and the countless species that depend on healthy oceans.

The data volunteers collect through the Clean Swell app helps scientists track pollution patterns and create better solutions. Each cleanup teaches the next generation that protecting nature isn't someone else's job. It's ours.

Whether you've never attended a beach cleanup or you're a seasoned environmental volunteer, September 19 is your chance to spend a beautiful morning making California's coastline healthier for everyone.