Marin, Sonoma & Mendocino Team Up For Coastal Cleanup Initiative

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties have launched a new collaborative project with Leave No Trace designed to keep the coasts, creeks, bays, and wetlands clean and free of litter.

The Cleaner California Coast initiative launched this week following a year of prep work, including research, community planning and collaboration among leaders in the three counties. The goal is to reduce coastal pollution through coordinated messaging aimed at the community and visitors alike.

Millions of people visit California's coastline each year, and officials say more than 55,000 pounds of litter were removed from sensitive coastal areas in the three counties just last year.

"The intercounty cooperation of Cleaner California Coast is remarkable," said Dennis Rodoni, Marin County's District 4 Supervisor who initiated the collaboration. "That all of these stakeholders from the three counties are committed to communicating uniform messaging along the Northern California coastline is powerful. It not only reduces competing messaging — which can obscure clarity for visitors — but it greatly increases the likelihood of visitors being exposed to these important principles.

The new campaign will build on practices already in practice in Sonoma County, including encouraging visitors to "pack it out," bring reusables instead of single-use plastics, know where restrooms are located before heading out, and avoid carelessly discarding cigarette butts, pods or cartridges.

Community members will also have a few upcoming chances to make a direct difference during cleanup events planned in each of the three counties:

Sonoma County Event: Sonoma County Regional Parks

• Beach Clean Up at Doran Regional Park:
• Saturday, Aug. 12, 9:00 AM-Noon

Mendocino County Event: Mendocino Land Trust

• Second Saturday Beach Clean Up at Hare Creek
• (Park at Mendocino College, Coast Campus)
• Saturday, August 12, 10:00 AM - Noon

Marin County Event: Environmental Action Committee

• Coastal Clean-Up Day: Help clean up our creeks and beaches in coastal Marin County
• September 23, 10:00 AM – Noon