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SANTA CRUZ — Save Our Shores (SOS), the leader in ocean awareness, advocacy and action on the Central Coast, has announced its plans for Earth Day cleanups on April 19 for the entire Monterey Bay community. SOS is focusing efforts on beaches and inland locations in need of some extra help this Earth Day where volunteers will have the greatest impact. SOS will host two cleanups in Monterey and two cleanups in Santa Cruz including a free yoga class, a potluck and giveaways for participants.
The cleanups in Monterey will take place at Elkhorn Slough and Del Monte Beach. The Elkhorn Slough Watershed cleanup will take place at Triple M Ranch from 10am-Noon. This is the first cleanup of its kind and it is in partnership with the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) and the Marine Mammal Center. Volunteers will meet at Triple M Ranch at 420 Hall Road in Las Lomas, ALBA’s Farm Training and Research Center. ALBA educates local farmers on sustainable and organic farming practices in the Elkhorn Slough Reserve watershed. Due to a huge increase in illegal dumping at sites surrounding the reserve, SOS designated this region as a 2014 Hotspot. The cleanup will be followed by a celebratory potluck where participants can purchase local produce from ALBA and win some new gear from REI.
The beach cleanup at Del Monte Beach is from 10am-Noon. Del Monte Beach is one of the most popular destinations in Monterey and boasts a great view of our entire National Marine Sanctuary. As a treat for volunteers, local yoga instructor Lindsay Jackson will lead a one-hour yoga session at 9am. The check-in table will be located in the beach parking lot next to Municipal Wharf #2.
The cleanups in Santa Cruz will take place at two of SOS’ Hotspots for 2014, Cowell and Main Beach and the San Lorenzo River at Water Street Bridge.
The cleanup at the San Lorenzo River will be at the Water Street Bridge from 9am-11am. The San Lorenzo River has been a major focus for SOS over the past few years, and it has been consistently improving. Help to continue this effort and join this cleanup. The check-in table will be at the San Lorenzo Riverway path in the San Lorenzo Part right next to the pedestrian bridge.
The beach cleanup at Cowell and Main Beach is from 9am-11am. The Cowell and Main Beaches are located right next to the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk, making them the most popular beaches in Santa Cruz. The check-in table will be at the Cowell Beach stairs near the parking lot next to the Dream Inn hotel.
“Earth Day is a great opportunity for everyone in our Monterey and Santa Cruz communities to show their appreciation for the ocean paradise that we have here by participating in one of our four cleanups this year,” said Laura Kasa, Executive Director of SOS.
Materials will be provided at all four cleanups, but consider bringing your own buckets, gloves, bags and reusable water bottles to help reduce trash. Individuals and groups welcome. If you plan to bring a group of 10 or more, contact [email protected]. Also, if you would like to register for the cleanup ahead of time, visit our website at www.saveourshores.org/earthday.
For more information, please contact Rachel Kippen, Program Manager at Save Our Shores at 831-462-5660 Ex. 3 or [email protected]. You can always find us on the web at www.saveourshores.org.
ABOUT SAVE OUR SHORES: SOS is the Central Coast leader in caring for the marine environment through ocean awareness, advocacy and citizen action. SOS’ core initiatives are Plastic Pollution, Ocean Awareness and Clean Boating. Over the last 30 years SOS has been locally responsible for key accomplishments such as helping to establish the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, preventing offshore oil drilling and cruise ship pollution and bringing together diverse stakeholders to find common solutions to ocean issues. Today, SOS focuses on educating youth about our local watersheds, tackling plastic pollution on our beaches and rivers, supporting habitat conservation efforts, implementing our nationally renowned DockWalker program and providing our community with educated and inspired Sanctuary Stewards! For more information about Save Our Shores visit our interactive website atwww.saveourshores.org or call (831) 462-5660.