When: Saturday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Where: Lodi Lake Park Discovery Center, 1101 W. Turner Road, Lodi.
Every year, on the third Saturday in September, people join together at sites all over California to take part in the state’s largest volunteer event, California Coastal Cleanup Day. Families, friends, coworkers, Scout troops, school groups, service clubs, and individuals come together to celebrate and share their appreciation of California’s fabulous coast and waterways. The event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by the Ocean Conservancy, which is the largest volunteer event on the planet!
It Works Like This: The Lodi Lake Park area is divided into sections, or “reaches,” with a 10-15 person team designated to clean each reach. Each team is led by one or two team leaders.
Once the reach is cleaned of trash, teams then sort and record all debris found. Data is submitted to The Ocean Conservancy’s international database and City of Lodi to identify sources of marine pollution, to devise solutions, and measure the public’s “garbage footprint.”
Each year, a statewide contest for the most unusual item found is held. Lodi has won twice in 12 years with students finding an unscratched California Lottery ticket and a crawdad in a knock-off Gucci purse.
Dress for Work: Volunteers are encouraged to wear work clothes, closed-toe shoes, gloves, sunblock, and hats. Bring a reusable water bottle and your own bucket. The City of Lodi, San Joaquin County and sponsors will provide a limited supply of gloves, bags, grapplers, and refreshments. Please help us reduce the waste at cleanups by coming prepared.
Become a Sponsor or Leader: Email Kathy Grant, City of Lodi Watershed Program Coordinator, at kgrant@lodi.gov or call 209-333-6800 ext. 2317.
For more information, including records from last year’s cleanup and group preregistration, download the full press release [PDF].
Download a Waiver
All volunteers MUST have a signed waiver to participate. The waiver is available in English [PDF] and in Spanish [PDF].