COASTAL CLEANUP DAY 2023
Santa Barbara County
Join Us
Thank you for being part of the solution to ocean pollution and for protecting the coast on Coastal Cleanup Day. Clean up on Saturday, September 23rd or anytime during the month.
2022 Coastal Cleanup Day Results
Coastal Cleanup Day
Become Part of the Solution to Ocean Pollution
Isn’t it time to show your favorite beach or creek some love?
Join us for Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23rd!
The largest volunteer effort in California, Coastal Cleanup Day is our day to give back to the ocean, beaches, and creeks that make Santa Barbara County such a wonderful place to live. Get outside, enjoy nature, and remove marine debris from our beaches and waterways.
Volunteers of all ages can participate at any of the 2023 cleanup sites. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged. To register, click here.
Each site will have a captain on hand to provide necessary instructions and supplies. You can bring your own gloves, buckets, and other reusable cleanup supplies to lessen the plastic footprint of this event.
If you can’t make the cleanup on the 23rd, we encourage you to cleanup any time during the month of September and your cleanup data will be included as part of the Coastal Cleanup Day results!
Coastal Cleanup Day is brought to you by Explore Ecology and our partner the County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery and Waste Management, with support from Project Clean Water and the Cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Solvang. The California Coastal Commission organizes the statewide event and the international event is organized by the Ocean Conservancy.
Be sure to Like Coastal Cleanup Day on Facebook and Instagram to get event updates.
Get Involved
VOLUNTEER
Coastal Cleanup Day is made possible because of volunteers like you. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate at any of the 2023 cleanup sites. To register, click here.
Each volunteer needs to sign a liability waiver before they can start the Cleanup. Beach Captains will have waivers for you to fill out or you can download them here and bring them with you.
Waivers in English:
Additional Signature Waiver- for more than 1 person
Waivers in Spanish:
Coming soon!
SUBMIT YOUR DATA
We’re encouraging everyone to download the CleanSwell app to submit their data about the litter they find: https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/cleanswell/
When you use Clean Swell, please turn on your location services and write in Explore Ecology as the group name.
If you do not have access to a smartphone, feel free to submit your data on a Data Sheet you’ll receive at the event, on our Google Drive form, or on the Clean Swell App. Clean Swell will instantaneously upload to the Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database. These data deliver a global snapshot of ocean trash, providing researchers and policy-makers insight to inform solutions.
You can submit data all month long for any cleanups you do during the month of September.
Please send any photos you take at the cleanup to Jill or tag us on Instagram (@exploreecology) and Facebook (@SBCoast) using the hashtags #coastalcleanupday and #coastalcleanup.
Thank you for participating in Coastal Cleanup 2023!
Download the Clean Swell App
App Store and Google Play
Locations
The following locations are registered to participate in Coastal Cleanup Day 2023. Click on the location you are interested in to sign up, find out where to meet, and get parking information.
Click Here for a map of the current cleanup locations. Check back often as updates will be made as they become available.
Santa Barbara Cleanup Sites
Arroyo Burro (Hendry’s) Beach:
Meeting Place: Steps leading to the beach.
Site Captain: Explore Ecology Staff
Organization: Explore Ecology
Parking: A free parking lot off Cliff Drive next to the beach.
Special Directions: Be aware that unleashed dogs may be present during the cleanup. Beach can accommodate large groups. High tide may adjust areas of cleanup. Cleanups can include the beach, the parking lot, or the open spaces surrounding Arroyo Burro.
Accessibility: There are bathrooms, handicapped parking spaces, and access to the beach. There is an MTD bus stop close by. There are sand-friendly beach wheelchairs available free-of-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Butterfly Beach:
Meeting Place: To the right of the Coral Casino at the cement stairway.
Site Captain: Pyp Pratt
Organization: Santa Barbara Middle School
Parking: Walking or biking to the site is strongly encouraged due to the She is Beautiful 5K and 10K happening along Cabrillo Boulevard. Street parking along Channel Drive and Butterfly Lane will be CLOSED until 11am.
Accessibility: There are no bathrooms and no handicapped parking. There is a ramp from street level to beach.
East Beach (Chase Palm):
Meeting Place: Chase Palm Park Beach, near Garden Street.
Site Captain: Olivia Bañez, Dylan Otte
Organization: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the Sea Center
Parking: Walking or biking to the site is strongly encouraged due to the She is Beautiful5K and 10K happening along Cabrillo Boulevard.
Parking will be free in any City of Santa Barbara parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when displaying a Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer parking lot voucher. This parking pass may be obtained from one of the beach captains. Walking or biking to the site is encouraged.
Special Directions: There may be other events occurring at this site during Coastal Cleanup Day. Please be respectful and give other beach users their space. Beach can accommodate large groups.
Accessibility: There are 2 parking lots near this site and both have handicap spaces (7 spaces in Palm Parking lot and 3 spaces in Garden St. parking lot). The approach to the beach is not long or difficult. There are public restrooms nearby.
East Beach (Volleyball Courts):
Meeting Place: East Beach near the Volleyball Courts
Site Captain: Sarah Palladino
Organization: Toad and Co
Parking: Walking or biking to the site is strongly encouraged due to the She is Beautiful5K and 10K happening along Cabrillo Boulevard.
Parking will be free in any City of Santa Barbara parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when displaying a Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer parking lot voucher. This parking pass may be obtained from the beach captain. Walking or biking to the site is encouraged.
Special Directions: There may be other events occurring at this site during Coastal Cleanup Day. Please be respectful and give other beach users their space. Beach can accommodate large groups.
Hammond’s/Miramar Beach/Fernald:
Meeting Place: Stairs near the access area, off of Eucalyptus Lane.
Site Captain: Allison Armstrong, Blair Butler
Organization: Laguna Blanca School
Parking: Limited street parking is available. All Saints-by-the-Sea (83 Eucalyptus Lane) is kind enough to let us use their parking lot for parking for this event. Directions are to use the East Lot by the school (left side of Eucalyptus Lane past the church). Otherwise, walking or biking to the site is encouraged. Limited street parking is available.
Special Directions: High tide may reduce cleanup area.
Leadbetter Beach:
Meeting Place: The picnic area west of the Shoreline Café.
Site Captain: Andrea Dransfield
Organization: Dudek
Parking: Parking will be free in any City of Santa Barbara parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when displaying a Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer parking voucher. This parking pass may be obtained from the beach captain. Walking or biking to the site is encouraged.
Special Directions: Be aware of any other events occurring at the beach. Beach can accommodate large groups.
Accessibility: There are 6 Handicap parking spots in the Leadbetter West Parking Lot. The difficulty of approach is easy. There are public bathrooms.
Oak Park:
Meeting Place: TBA
Site Captain: Margie Bushman, Wes Roe
Organization: Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
Parking: A free parking lot next to the park and street parking.
Special Directions: There may be parties going on at the park. Please be mindful of any events going on.
Accessibility: There are public bathrooms and handicapped parking onsite.
Sandspit Beach, Harbor, and Parking Lot:
Meeting Place: New! West Side of Santa Barbara Yacht Club Parking Lot towards boat yard. Please park in City of Santa Barbara Parking Lot. Look for Sign-In tents and tables. (Marked by the Yellow Square in Photo) Click Here for Photo
Site Captains: Andra Escola, Eli Parker, Erika Tai James
Organization: Santa Barbara Yacht Club, Santa Barbara Fish Market, and Paddle Sports Center
Parking: Walking or biking to the site is strongly encouraged due to the She is Beautiful 5K and 10K happening along Cabrillo Boulevard.
Parking will be free in any City of Santa Barbara parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when displaying a Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer parking voucher. This parking pass may be obtained from the beach captain.
Accessibility: There are Handicap parking spots. The difficulty of approach is easy. There are public bathrooms.
Special Directions: All volunteers that participate at this site will receive a voucher upon check out, with a drink ticket and complimentary ceviche to be served at The Anchor Rose for a Coastal Clean Up Crew After Party. There will be live acoustic music from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on the lower patio after the cleanup.
West Beach:
Meeting Place: West end of the beach by the bike path across the street from Chad’s Cafe at 216 W Cabrillo Blvd.
Site Captain: Penny Owens
Organization: Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
Parking: Parking will be free in any City of Santa Barbara parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when displaying a Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer parking voucher. This parking pass may be obtained from the beach captain. Walking or biking to the site is encouraged.
Special Directions: Beach can accommodate large groups.
Lompoc
Jalama Beach:
Meeting Place: Picnic tables by the horseshoes pits.
Site Captain: Iwa Lani Martinson
Organization:
Parking: Volunteers may park for free in the lot from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by displaying/presenting a volunteer Coastal Cleanup Day parking pass, which may be obtained from the beach captain.
Accessibility: There are six handicapped parking spots with one close to the beach entrance.
Special Directions: High tide may reduce beach cleanup area.
Santa Rita Hills:
Meeting Place: 3929 Santa Rosa Rd. 4.5 miles east of Highway 1 on Santa Rosa Rd. and exactly 12 miles west of the Santa Rosa Rd. exit from US101 in Buellton. There will be a sign near the business entrance directing folks to the right spot.
Site Captain: Marcy Stoeven, John Royce
Organization: Santa Ynez Valley Clean Team, Clean Your Stoop
Parking: Lots of parking. There is room for cars to park well off the roadway.
Accessibility: There are no bathrooms.
Carpinteria/Summerland
Carpinteria State Beach:
Meeting Place: End of Linden Avenue, look for the concrete tables.
Site Captain: Ed Bell
Organization: Santa Barbara Dance Tribe
Parking: Free 90 minute street parking. Volunteers who wish to stay longer can request a parking permit at check in.
Carpinteria Creeks:
Meeting Place: Franklin Creek Park, north end of Sterling Avenue, Carpinteria CA 93103.
Site Captain: Erin Maker
Organization: City of Carpinteria
Parking: Free on street parking
Special Directions: Please wear close toed shoes, hat, sunscreen and bring your own buckets, gloves, and water.
Accessibility: There are no bathrooms at this location.
Jelly Bowl Beach:
Meeting Place: Bluff Top at Jelly Bowl Beach
Site Captain: Jan Silk
Organization: Carpinteria Family School
Parking: Park at the end of Calle Ocho and carefully cross the train tracks towards the beach. You can’t miss our tent and set up!
Special Directions: Please bring your own buckets, gloves, trash picker uppers, hat, sunscreen, and enthusiasm to beautify our beach area. The world thanks you!
Accessibility: There is no handicapped parking. There is some difficulty in approach to the site. In order to get to the Jelly Bowl Beach site, volunteers must cross train tracks on foot with no crossing gates. There are bathrooms.
Lookout Park (Summerland):
Meeting Place: Next to the playground area before the beach path entrance.
Site Captain: Erica Moore
Organization: REI
Parking: Free parking in the Lookout Park lot.
Special Directions: Beach can accommodate large groups.
Rincon County Beach (Bates):
Meeting Place: Meet at the pavilion area beside the parking lot next to the ramp descending to the beach.
Site Captain: Gary Mussell
Organization: Friends of Bates Beach
Parking: Free parking is available in the County parking lot.
Special Directions: Site can accommodate large groups of people.
Accessibility: There are bathrooms. There are a few handicapped parking spots.
Santa Claus Lane (Padaro Lane) Beach:
Meeting Place: Towards the west entrance of Santa Claus Lane, just after Padaro Lane, before the commercial area
Site Captain: Brandon Kaysen
Organization: Central Coast Green Building Council
Parking: Parking is available on Santa Claus Lane. Note any time restrictions.
Goleta/Isla Vista Cleanup Sites
Campus Point at UCSB:
Meeting Place: Table at Campus Point. Click Here for Photo.
Site Captain: Arushi Lakhan-Pal
Organization: Watershed Resource Center Intern
Parking: No parking available on Saturday due to UCSB Move In Weekend. Please walk or bike to this site.
Accessibility: There are handicapped parking spots. It is a difficult/steep approach to the beach (stairs and ramp are available from the parking lot). Bathrooms are available.
Special Directions: Walk or bike to site. No parking is available.
Devereux Beach:
Meeting Place:
Site Captain: Cali Brannan
Organization: Isla Vista Surfrider Student Club
Parking: There is parking very close to site.
Accessibility: No bathrooms on site.
Special Directions:
Ellwood Bluffs and Beach:
Meeting Place: At the top of Ellwood Mesa Bluffs at the chimney by the beach access (straight out from Ellwood Beach Drive). See a large picture of the chimney.
Site Captain: Al Souma, Vanessa Brooks
Organization: Al Souma and The Land Trust
Parking: Timed parking is available on Coronado, Phelps, Ellwood Beach Drive, or at the Sperling Preserve. Walk or bike to the site.
Special Directions: Walk straight out on trail from Ellwood Beach Drive to the bluffs.
Do Not rely on Google Maps to find directions to this beach. Be prepared to walk long distances to and from the site. We recommend bringing thick work gloves if you have them; this beach has lots of debris on it.
Goleta Beach:
Meeting Place: At picnic tables to the right of the entrance.
Site Captain: Julie Randall Colbert
Organization: Santa Ynez Chumash Environmental Office
Parking: Free parking is available in lot in Sandspit Road, next to beach. Walking or biking from UCSB’s campus is encouraged.
Special Directions: Please be aware of other events going on at the beach and park. High tide may adjust areas of cleanup.
Accessibility: There is Handicapped Parking. The approach to the beach is not difficult. There are bathrooms.
Haskell’s Beach:
Meeting Place: Meet at the beach entrance near the snack bar.
Site Captain: Meghan Leon
Organization: Ritz Carlton Bacara
Parking: Use the public beach parking lot near Bacara’s tennis courts.
Special Directions: Enter the road off of Hollister Avenue that has a sign for Bacara on it and follow it for over a half mile. There will be a parking lot on your left marked by signs that say “Beach Access.”
Accessibility: There is handicap parking. The site is not difficult to approach. There are bathrooms.
Isla Vista Streets:
Meeting Place: Isla Vista Park and Recreation District Office, 961 Embarcadero del Mar
Site Captain: Paul Izquierdo
Organization: Isla Vista Recreation & Park District Adopt-a-Block Program
Parking: Limited parking available at 976 Embarcadero del Mar. Timed street parking also available.
Special Directions: High tide may reduce beach cleanup area.
San Jose Creek:
Meeting Place: Meet on the east side of the Berkeley Foot Bridge on Berkeley Road at San Jose Creek in Goleta.
Site Captain: Brian Trautwein
Organization: Environmental Defense Center
Parking: Park on Berkeley or Merida.
Gaviota Coast Cleanup Sites
El Capitan State Beach:
Meeting Place: At the picnic benches on the bluff to the left of the lifeguard station at the opposite end of the parking lot from the shop.
Site Captain: Julie DeAngelis, Melissa Erickson
Organization: Parasols in Paradise
Parking: Get your parking pass from the parking attendant (not from the site captain). Let the parking attendant know you are a CCD volunteer to be able to park there for free from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Gaviota State Beach:
Meeting Place: Lifeguard tower
Site Captain: Barbara Haig
Organization: Dunn School
Parking: Get your parking pass from the parking attendant (not from the site captain). Let the parking attendant know you are a CCD volunteer to be able to park there for free from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Refugio State Beach:
Meeting Place: By the picnic table across from the store, near the palm trees
Site Captain: Janet Koed
Organization: Gaviota Coast Conservancy
Parking: Get your parking pass from the parking attendant (not from the site captain). Let the parking attendant know you are a CCD volunteer to be able to park there for free from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tajiguas Beach:
Meeting Place: In the parking lot at the west end of Refugio State Beach by the picnic tables. Volunteers should carpool to Tajiguas Beach.
Site Captain: Mark Wilkinson, Jerry Sorich
Organization: Santa Barbara County Trails Council, Paradise Dive Club
Parking: Get your parking pass from the parking attendant (not from the site captain). Let the parking attendant know you are a CCD volunteer to be able to park there for free from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Channel Islands Cleanup Site
Santa Cruz Island:
Meeting Place: This is a private cleanup that is not open to the public.
Beach Captain: Meg DeCoit
Organization: Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Special Directions: Not open to the public.
Our Partners
Coastal Cleanup Day is a worldwide event organized by the Ocean Conservancy. The California Coastal Commission organizes the event throughout the state. Santa Barbara County efforts are coordinated by Explore Ecology and our partner the County of Santa Barbara’s Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division.
Santa Barbara Coastal Cleanup Day is also supported by Santa Barbara County Project Clean Water and the Cities of Goleta, Carpinteria, Solvang, and Santa Barbara.
Coastal Cleanup Day IMPACT
STOP MARINE DEBRIS IN ITS TRACKS
The 2017 United Nations Clean Seas Campaign estimates that there are 51 trillion microplastic particles in the ocean today. Some of it floats on the surface, while much of it litters the deep sea. This debris can injure and entangle animals and is ingested by fish, birds, and other marine life with dire consequences. Plastic marine debris also acts like a magnet or sponge for hydrophobic chemicals in the seawater, including Persistent Organic Pollutants like PCBs, DDT, dioxins, and furans. When animals ingest plastic, they are also getting a dose of harmful chemicals, which has a detrimental effect on the ocean food chain.
How can we combat this problem? One solution is to clean our beaches before plastic litter has a chance to make its way to the ocean. Join the thousands of volunteers around the world who make a stand for cleaner oceans and waterways and sign up for Coastal Cleanup Day!
What to bring?
Cleanup supplies will be provided. However, Explore Ecology is encouraging volunteers to BYO- bring their own reusable gloves, bags or buckets, and reusable water bottles to reduce waste to help decrease the plastic footprint of the cleanup. Read more about the statewide effort to reduce waste on the Coastal Commission’s website.
We recommend wearing closed toed shoes and comfortable clothing. We also encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle, wear sunscreen, and other sun protection like hats or sunglasses.
Can I signup a group?
Yes, please! The more hands on desk, the better. Coastal Cleanup Day is a great volunteer opportunity for groups. Please sign up your group using our online volunteer system. Click Here.
Can I receive community service?
Of course! We wouldn’t have it any other way. Please bring your forms and have your Beach Captain sign them after the cleanup so you can get your community service hours.
How to be a site captain
Coastal Cleanup Day is possible because of our dedicated site captains. If you or your organization is interested, please contact Santa Barbara County Coastal Cleanup Day Coordinator Lydia at: CoastalCleanupDay (at) ExploreEcology.org or call (805)884-0459 x16.
Do I have to register in advance?
Registration is not required, but is encouraged. To register, click here.
Is there an age requirement?
Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to have a waiver signed by an adult. If an adult is not coming with you, please have a parent or guardian sign the form in advance and bring it with you. You can download a Minor Waiver here: Download Minor Waiver.
Where should I park?
Parking varies by location. Please check each site for specifics.
Note: Because of a 10K run along East Cabrillo Blvd, there have been a few changes to parking for East Beach, Butterfly Beach, and the Harbor Sandspit sites. Walking or biking is strongly encouraged due to the She is Beautiful 5K and 10K happening along Cabrillo Boulevard on Saturday morning.
Media Inquiries
Please contact us at CoastalCleanupDay (at) ExploreEcology.org or call (805) 884-0459 x16.
Head out to your favorite beach and use the app to easily record each item of trash you collect. Then share your effort with family and friends.
With Clean Swell, simply “Start Collecting” trash wherever you are around the world and the data you collect will instantaneously upload to Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database. These data provide researchers and policy-makers insight to inform solutions. You can check out your Cleanup history, so anytime, anywhere you can see the impact you’ve had on making our ocean a cleaner and healthier ecosystem.
Use Clean Swell to:
Record every item of trash you collect.
Share your Cleanup results and impact with friends via Facebook, Twitter, and email.
Track your total distance cleaned.
See the total weight of the trash you collect.
Earn badges based on the type and quantity of trash and cleanups you do, like the Sea Turtle Saver!
Keep a historical record of your Cleanup efforts.
Create ocean trash solutions by contributing to a global database and helping to identify trends.
Learn scientific facts about the impact of trash on ocean animals and what you can do to help.
Watch Our Clean Swell Tutorial
Coastal Cleanup Month
Become Part of the Solution to Ocean Pollution on 4 Saturdays in September 2020
Coastal Clean-Up Day has been changed for 2020 and is now Coastal Cleanup Month. This year, instead of gathering together at beaches and sites throughout the County on a single day, cleanups will happen every Saturday in September from home. We can stop potential marine debris from traveling through storm drains into our creeks and ocean. Let’s protect our favorite beaches by picking up trash in our neighborhoods and local natural areas.
Community members are encouraged to clean up their neighborhood every Saturday from 9 to Noon on September 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th.
Your cleanups should be self-guided and close to home. Local parks, shores, creeks, streets, drainage areas, sidewalks, natural areas, and trails are great choices. Practice physical distancing and strictly follow both local ordinances and the set of guidelines provided on the California Coastal Commission website to make this a safe cleanup for you and your community. Read the guidelines here.
Although our cleanup model is different this year, your effort will still make a huge difference for the coast. We need your help to collect data on all litter you find. Click on our Submit Data tab for reporting options.
Get outside, enjoy nature, and remove marine debris from your neighborhood. If Saturdays don’t work for you, please clean up on any day and time that does! The litter that you find will still be included in our Coastal Cleanup Day data.
Throughout the month, stay connected with volunteers across the County by visiting our Instagram and Facebook Pages. Upload your photos, videos, and share what you find on social media with the hashtags #protectyourhappyplace and #coastalcleanup. Although we can’t meet in person this year, we can stay connected virtually.
Volunteers of all ages can participate. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged. To register, click here.
This year use your own gloves, buckets, and other reusable cleanup supplies to lessen the plastic footprint of this event. To help make the job easier, Project Clean Water has reusable cleanup supplies that can be checked out and returned, after filling out a waiver. The reusable supplies include buckets and trash grabbers. Contact Cathleen Garnand or call 805-568-3561 for details.
We acknowledge that our cleanups are occurring on traditional Chumash land.
Coastal Cleanup Month is part of Creek Week, an annual celebration of our creeks, watersheds, and the ocean, with many local organizations hosting events to help build awareness and stewardship of the natural treasures of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria. Visit SBCreekWeek.com for a full schedule of activities.
In Santa Barbara County, Coastal Cleanup Day is brought to you by Explore Ecology and our partner the County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery and Waste Management, with support from the Cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Solvang. The California Coastal Commission organizes the statewide event and the international event is organized by the Ocean Conservancy.
Special Thanks to our partner the Santa Barbara County Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division.
What’s A Watershed?
Are You Ready?
Coastal Cleanup Month Kick Off!
Follow These Guidelines For A Safe Coastal Cleanup Day
GUIDANCE FOR 2020 NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS
Beach cleanups start at our own front doors. Trash can travel through storm drains, creeks, and rivers to become beach pollution. This September, let’s help clean the beach by cleaning up in our own neighborhoods and local natural areas.
To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, please follow the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, available here.
If you find any hazardous waste, (i.e. batteries, filled paint cans, aerosols, etc.) please visit the County of SB’s Resource Recovery and Waste Management website for more information on how to dispose of the waste properly.
If you find a shopping cart, please report it here.
Please do not clean up any homeless encampments as per the California Coastal Commission guidelines.
In addition to the CDC guidelines, the Coastal Commission recommends the following practices for cleaning up litter and other debris:
Preparation
- If you are sick in any way, DO NOT go out for a cleanup.
- Assemble your own cleanup gear, including Personal Protective Equipment(PPE). This should include trash bags or buckets, gloves, face mask, a trash grabber or tongs (if available), sun protection, and make sure to wear close-toed shoes to protect against sharp objects.
- Download the Clean Swell app (available for free on all platforms) to keep track of what you pick up and how many people participated with you. If you do not have a device capable of using the app, you can download the data card from the Coastal Commission’s website.
Cleanup
- Maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from everyone you encounter, even if you are wearing a mask.
- ALWAYS wear gloves – disposable if available – and dispose or wash them immediately after your cleanup.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Do not pick up sharp objects, especially syringes!
- Don’t pick up anything too heavy or anything that you will not be able to fit intoyour home debris bin.
In parks and natural areas, follow all posted signage, stay on trails, and limit activities to areas open to the public.
- If you clean up a local beach or waterway, be mindful of the conditions (such as high tide, sneaker wave warnings, etc.), and be careful near the water’s edge.
- Keep a safe distance from all wildlife!
- Do not pick up or disturb natural objects, such as leaves, nests, or eggs.
- Avoid over-exertion, sunburn, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. When in doubt,come in early!
- Unfortunately, you may find used gloves, masks, and other personal protectiveequipment (PPE) among litter. DO NOT PICK UP ANY PPE without a grabber.
After Cleanup
- If possible, weigh or estimate the pounds of trash and recyclables you collected during your cleanup to report to your local coordinator or the Coastal Commission.
- Dispose of trash in your home debris bin
- Dispose or wash gloves immediately after your cleanup. To properly removedisposable gloves, grab the glove opening near your wrist and pull towards yourfingers, then turn the glove inside out before disposing.
- Wash your hands thoroughly as soon as possible, and use hand sanitizer in themeantime if soap and water are unavailable.
- Show us your cleanup! Post your pictures using our “Protect Your Happy Place”filter on Instagram and Facebook and see how your community is participating. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #coastalcleanup and #protectyourhappyplace.
By participating you understand and agree that neither the State of California or California Coastal Commission may be held liable or responsible in any way for any injury, death, or other damages to you or your family, heirs, or assigns that may occur as a result of your participation, or as a result of product liability or the negligence, whether passive or active, of any party in connection with the cleanups.
Have fun and remember, safety first! Thank you for extending your care and compassion to our communities at this time! Stay healthy.
Our Partners
Coastal Cleanup Day is a worldwide event organized by the Ocean Conservancy. The California Coastal Commission organizes the event throughout the state. Santa Barbara County efforts are coordinated by Explore Ecology and our partner the County of Santa Barbara’s Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division.
Santa Barbara Coastal Cleanup Day is also supported by Santa Barbara County Project Clean Water and the Cities of Goleta, Carpinteria, Solvang, and Santa Barbara.
How To Submit Your Data
Please count every piece of trash you collect! Reporting thoroughly and accurately is important.
There are three different ways to record the trash that you find during your cleanups. Data will be collected primarily through the CleanSwell app for smartphones. Under Group Name, type in “Explore Ecology” so we can track the number of participants in Santa Barbara County. Clean Swell will instantaneously upload to the Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database. These data deliver a global snapshot of ocean trash, providing researchers and policy-makers insight to inform solutions.
For those who don’t want to or are unable to use the app for recording their trash, we will have a Google Form that you can enter your data in or a dedicated phone hotline to call. You can download Data Sheets to keep track of what you find.
Use the CleanSwell App: Click Here for More Information.
Download the Coastal Commission Data Sheet in English Here.
Download the Coastal Commission Data Sheet in Spanish Here.
Enter Your Results on Our Google Form.
Call in your results to our dedicated phone line: 805-284-6706.
What supplies to use?
Use what you have at home for your cleanup. Washable gloves, bags or buckets help decrease the plastic footprint of your cleanup. Read more about the statewide effort to reduce waste on the Coastal Commission’s website.
We recommend wearing closed toed shoes and comfortable clothing. We also encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle, wear sunscreen, and other sun protection like hats or sunglasses.
Can I receive community service?
Of course! Keep track of your hours and send them to Jill for community service hours with Explore Ecology.
Is there an age requirement?
Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate.
Why is marine debris such a threat to ocean life?
Read about the impacts of marine debris here:
Do I have to register in advance?
Registration is not required, but is encouraged. To register, click here.
Media and Sponsorship Inquiries
Please contact Santa Barbara County Coastal Cleanup Day Coordinator, Julia at CoastalCleanupDay (at) ExploreEcology.org or by calling her at (805) 884-0459 x16.
Why is Coastal Cleanup Day Different This Year?
Due to COVID-19, we’ve had to change the format of Coastal Cleanup Day. The cleanup may be different, but we hope to pick up more trash than ever before!
Coastal Cleanup Day Impact
STOP MARINE DEBRIS IN ITS TRACKS
The 2017 United Nations Clean Seas Campaign estimates that there are 51 trillion microplastic particles in the ocean today. Some of it floats on the surface, while much of it litters the deep sea. This debris can injure and entangle animals and is ingested by fish, birds, and other marine life with dire consequences. Plastic marine debris also acts like a magnet or sponge for hydrophobic chemicals in the seawater, including Persistent Organic Pollutants like PCBs, DDT, dioxins, and furans. When animals ingest plastic, they are also getting a dose of harmful chemicals, which has a detrimental effect on the ocean food chain.
How can we combat this problem? One solution is to clean our beaches before plastic litter has a chance to make its way to the ocean. Join the thousands of volunteers around the world who make a stand for cleaner oceans and waterways and sign up for Coastal Cleanup Day!
Become a Coastal Cleanup Day Advocate
Throughout the month, stay connected with other engaged community members across 
the County by visiting our Instagram and Facebook
Tag @exploreecology in your photos and videos, and share what you find on social media with the hashtags #coastalcleanup and #protectyourhappyplace.
Although we can’t meet up in person this year, let’s stay connected virtually as we all work to keep our coastline clean and to protect our happy places!
Location
This year due to COVID-19, we are not meeting at our usual sites. We invite you to protect the coast from home by cleaning up your neighborhood or local natural area. Your cleanups should be self-guided. Local parks, shores, creeks, streets, sidewalks, drainage areas, natural areas, and trails are great choices. Practice physical distancing and strictly follow both local ordinances and the set of guidelines provided on the California Coastal Commission website to make this a safe cleanup for you and your community.
Emma Serr is an artist and a student studying Studio Art at SBCC. Emma has a background in art and customer service, having worked as a camp counselor at sewing camp and assistant for sewing events and classes, and display manager and cashier in previous positions, and was recently a nanny to several young children. Emma first found us as a customer who loved what Art From Scrap represents!
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent her last four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife. Veronica is very passionate about conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. Veronica has spent many summers working in environmental education at various zoos and museums and loves introducing kids to the plants and animals that coexist with us. In her free time, she likes to sit at the beach and read, take dance classes, roller skate, and walk around fancy neighborhoods to look at the houses.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them. Lu is thrilled to be teaching budding scientists about the Earth and why it’s important for us to protect and preserve the environment. 
Lydia
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Ian Docktor
MELISSA BROOKS
Lindsay Johnson
