Getting Out and Helping Out
Beach and Trail Volunteer Projects Need Your Participation
Over the next several weeks, those of you who are looking for opportunities to get out and help improve our local beaches and trails, a number of upcoming volunteer activities have been scheduled that will not only get you outdoors but be good for the environment as well.
California Coastal Cleanup Day 2008
This Saturday, September 20 marks the 24th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. Californians will join hundreds of thousands of participants worldwide clearing trash and debris from beaches, shorelines, and inland waterways. Last year, volunteers in Santa Barbara cleaned 17 locations throughout Santa Barbara County, collecting approximately 1,600 pounds of trash and 1,000 pounds of recyclables in three hours.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and the cleanups will take place at the following beaches in Santa Barbara County: Arroyo Burro, Gaviota State Beach, Leadbetter Beach, Butterfly Beach, Goleta Beach, Refugio State Beach, Chase Palm Park, Guadalupe Beach, Rincon Point Beach, East Beach, Haskell’s Beach, Santa Claus Lane Beach, El Capitan, Jalama Beach, Tajiguas Beach, Ellwood Beach, and West Beach.
Visit www.lessismore.org/coast or call the local coordinator, Jody Rundle, at (805) 882-3602 for more information. Volunteers may show up at one of the beach sites listed and a Beach Captain will provide necessary instructions and supplies.
Locally, over the past 25 years, thousands of volunteers have joined forces to help take care of each front country trail and provided critical maintenance needed to help keep them open, safe, and enjoyable.
The Trail Day event will take place at Tucker’s Grove County Park with registration beginning at 9 a.m. at the back part of the park where the San Antonio Creek Trail begins. Plan on wearing long pants and shirts, sturdy shoes, and eye protection. S.B. Mountain Trail Volunteers will supply gloves and helmets, and if you have one, bring your bike helmet.
The work project will help brush out the trail, clear the creek crossings, and help repair the trail tread where needed. Plan on working until 2 p.m. and afterward join SBMTV in a complimentary lunch.
