Save Our Shores and Save The Waves Coalition Partner on World Surfing Reserve Cleanup

The collaborative effort will target pollution on Cowell’s Beach on Dec. 7

SANTA CRUZ  – Save Our Shores (SOS), the leader in ocean awareness, advocacy and action on the Central Coast, is teaming up with Save The Waves Coalition for a special World Surfing Reserve Cleanup at Cowell’s Beach from 9-11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7.

In April 2012, Santa Cruz was named the fourth World Surfing Reserve. This designation honors Santa Cruz’s world-class waves, surfing heritage, environmental richness and community activism. The Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve extends from Natural Bridges to Opal Cliffs.

Cowell’s Beach is central to Santa Cruz’s surfing history and tourism industry. But despite its popularity, it was identified this year by Save Our Shores as one of 10 Hot Spots, which demonstrated the greatest need for outreach and cleanup efforts, according to data and community input. The trash and water pollution issues at Cowell’s Beach were also highlighted as a priority during a recent World Surfing Reserve Summit.

In order to address the problems plaguing this beach, Save Our Shores and Save The Waves Coalition are joining forces to remove harmful trash before it has a chance to enter the bay. All are invited to lend a hand.

“Santa Cruz was designated as a World Surfing Reserve, in large part, because of the strong community support for our beaches, waves and ocean,” said Nick Mucha, Save The Waves Coalition Director of Programs. “The Dec. 7 beach cleanup is an opportunity to stand up for our World Surfing Reserve and keep our coastline trash-free.”

Save Our Shores will provide cleanup supplies, however, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own buckets and gloves in order to reduce waste.

Help Save Our Shores and Save The Waves Coalition prevent pollution from entering the Monterey Bay at Cowell’s Beach on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 9-11 a.m.! For more info, visit saveourshores.org.

Save Our Shores (SOS) is the Central Coast leader in caring for the marine environment through ocean awareness, advocacy and citizen action. Its core initiatives are Plastic Pollution, Ocean Awareness and Clean Boating. Over the last 30 years, SOS has been locally responsible for 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 local watersheds, tackling plastic pollution at local beaches and rivers, supporting habitat conservation efforts, implementing the nationally renowned Dockwalker program and providing the community with educated and inspired Sanctuary Stewards.

Save The Waves Coalition is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the coastal environment, with an emphasis on the surf zone, and educating the public about its value. We are a devoted group of surfers, scientists, and activists, who share a common belief that our wild coastal areas around the world are precious and valuable, and need to be protected. Visit savethewaves.org for more information.