[Posted by Chuck Almdale]

Annual International Coastal Cleanup Day, from 9:00 A.M. to Noon at the Malibu Lagoon.  Help us clear the trash around the lagoon!  Last year, more than 6,900 volunteers in the Los Angeles area removed over 18,200 lbs. of trash and 900 lbs. at 62 cleanup sites: beaches, rivers, underwater, and along trails. Ninety percent of all floating marine debris is plastic.  

As we know, bright colored plastics or small micro-plastics can be confused for food.  A 2012 study by the Convention on Biological Diversity found that 663 marine species have been impacted by plastic litter through ingestion or entanglement.  It is important that we clean the lagoon area before the first rains come and carry everything out to the ocean.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.  We encourage you to get waivers and registration forms on-line at https://healthebay.org/coastalcleanupday/. Just follow the on-screen instructions.

Our chapter concentrates its efforts at Malibu Lagoon, but you can call 1-800-HEALBAY for information and other places to volunteer.  Parking passes will available at the lagoon on this day.  If possible, bring your own gloves, bucket for trash,  and sunscreen. Don’t worry if you forget such stuff because from 9:00 a.m. until noon, volunteers will be given supplies and instructions on how to carry out a beach cleanup.

Family Guide: Suitable for everyone but toddlers. Small children, already built conveniently close to the ground, are great at picking up those tiny pieces of plastic.

Information Contact: Jean Garrett (213-522-0062)

[Directions] Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road in Malibu.  Parking in the official lagoon lot is normally $3/hour (should be free today) or by annual pass.  You may also park either along PCH north of Cross Creek Road or on Cross Creek Road itself but be careful – some parts of PCH are off-limits (read the signs carefully.)  Lagoon parking in the shopping center lot is not permitted.