Photo: APU GOMES / AFP / Getty Images
In 1985, the California Coastal Commission organized the first statewide 'Coastal Cleanup Day,' a day designed to get people involved in helping keep our local beaches and waterways clean by picking up trash and debris.
It is the largest, one-day volunteer event in the country and this year's event is Saturday, September 21st.
Below, we've listed some locations in Orange County where you can participate and whether they require you to pre-register.
If you're outside of Orange County, just CLICK ON THIS MAP to find a location where you'd like to volunteer and check out the instructions.
BABY BEACH & THE OCEAN INSTITUTE
Come out for early morning yoga and then participate in a beach cleanup starting at 8am at 34571 Golden Lantern St. Dana Point. Registration is required. After the cleanup, enjoy a free 'lunch and learn' event at the Ocean Institute. For more information, contact Stand Up To Trash at standuptotgrash@gmail.com
CAPISTRANO BEACH
Join Capo Cares volunteers in cleaning Capistrano Beach Park and the coastal trail starting at 8:30am at 35005 Beach Rd. in Capistrano Beach. For more details, contact Capo Cares at Capocares@gmail.com
D
DOHENY STATE BEACH
Volunteers can help with clean up San Juan Creek, the shorline and the jetty at Doheny State Beach starting at 9am at 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr. in Dana Point. Reigstration is required. For more details, contact the Doheny State Beach Foundation at info@dohenystatebeach.org
HUNTINGTON BEACH WETLANDS
Volunteers can join the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy starting at 9am at 21900 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. For more details, contact Executive Director John Villa at john@hbwetlands.org
HUNTINGTON CITY BEACH
Free parking with registration confirmation. Volunteers should show up starting at 9am at 21579 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. Bring a reusable bucket, gardening gloves and whatever else you think you'll need for several hours of cleanup!
For more details, contact Site Supervisor Michelle Galvez at 714-375-8445 or michelle.galvez@surfcity-hb.org
IRVINE
Help clean the watershed at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary with the Irvine Ranch Water District at 21 Riparian View in Irvine from 9am-11am. For more details, contact info@IRWD.com
LAGUNA BEACH
Volunteer to clean Main Beach, South Coast Highway and Broadway in Laguna Beach. at S. Coast Highway and Broadway St. in Laguna Beach. Please bring gloves, sunscreen, a bucket and water.
To register, please email alayna@lagunaoceanfoundation.org For more information, contact the Laguna Ocean Foundation
NEWPORT HARBOR UNDERWATER CLEANUP
You can sign up to join more than 300 scuba divers and above-water volunteers in collecting plastics and other trash at Marina Park 1600 Balboa Blvd. in Newport Beach. For more details check out the Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup website or contact info@newportharborunderwatercleanup.com Cleanup is 7am-11:30am. An after cleanup celebration is scheduled 12:15pm-5pm
NORTH BOLSA CHICA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Bolsa Chica Conservancy will be at 3842 Warner Ave. in Huntington Beach starting at 9am. Registration is required. For details, contact info@bolsachica.org or 714-846-1114.
SAN CLEMENTE PIER
The city of San Clemente is asking volunteers to help pick up trash by the San Clemente Pier starting at 9am at 615 Avenida Victoria in San Clemente. Volunteers are encouraged to register for this event. For details, contact the City of San Clemente at BeachN@san-clemente.org or 949-361-8354
SAN CLEMENTE STATE BEACH
California State Parks is looking for volunteers to assist to clean Calafia Beach starting at 9am at 300 Avenida Calafia in San Clemente. Volunteers are asked to register for this event. For more details contact Laurel.gifford@parks.ca.gov or 949 366 8503
SEAL BEACH
Save Our Beach volunteers will be at 15 First St in Seal Beach from 8am-12pm. Registration is required. For more details contact Steve Masoner, Founder and President of Save Our Beach at stevemasoner@outlook.com
SOUTH BOLSA CHICA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Amigos de Bolsa Chica volunteers will be at 18000 Pacific Coast Highway starting at 9am. Registration is required. For more details, contact Amigos de Bolsa Chica at 714-840-1575 or info@amigosdebolsachica.org
UPPER NEWPORT BAY
Volunteers can join OC Parks and the Newport Bay Conservancy at 2301 University Dr. in Newport Beach starting at 9am. Registration is required. For more information contact unbic@ocparks.com