955 Volunteers Clear 73 Miles of Santa Barbara Coast

More than 955 volunteers proved that protecting the ocean starts right at home, cleaning 73 miles of Santa Barbara County coastline and hauling away 5,041 pounds of litter in just one day.

The September 19 cleanup mobilized residents across 37 sites throughout the county. Families, students, and environmental advocates filled bags with cigarette butts, food wrappers, and plastic pieces that threaten local marine life and pollute coastal watersheds.

The Painted Cave site saw the heaviest impact, with volunteers removing a staggering 1,500 pounds of trash and recyclables. Other teams discovered unusual treasures hidden among the debris, including a machete, a rocking chair, 80 pounds of copper wire, and even a $10 bill.

"We are so impressed by how our community came together to protect the ocean and our local watersheds today," said Veronica Lee, Coastal Cleanup Day coordinator for Explore Ecology. The organization partnered with Santa Barbara County and local cities to make the massive cleanup possible.

Youth leaders stepped up as site captains, guiding teams of volunteers along beaches and waterways. Their efforts ensured the event ran smoothly from Arroyo Burro Beach to Jelly Bowl Beach and dozens of sites in between.

The Ripple Effect: Every cigarette butt and plastic wrapper removed from Santa Barbara's coast means one less hazard for sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds that call these waters home. The cleanup also prevents pollution from flowing into the ocean during winter rains, protecting entire marine ecosystems for years to come. When nearly a thousand neighbors choose to spend their Saturday picking up trash, it sends a powerful message that this community values its natural treasures and the wildlife that depends on clean waters.

Explore Ecology will release complete county and statewide totals in the coming days. The organization continues its mission year round through environmental education programs, school gardens, and Art From Scrap initiatives that turn yesterday's waste into tomorrow's creativity.

One day, 955 people, and five thousand pounds of hope for cleaner oceans.