LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Volunteers around Lake County and throughout California are preparing to clean up waterways once again during a special event this month.

The 40th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 21.

More than 1,000 sites and 45,000 volunteers throughout California are expected to participate this year, removing trash from beaches and inland shores as part of the state’s largest annual volunteer event, according to the California Coastal Commission.

The commission organizes the event as part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Ocean Conservancy.

In Lake County, seven locations are so far confirmed to be included in this year’s cleanup. They are:

• Clearlake: Redbud Park, 14800 Ball Park Ave.; Clear Lake Campground, 7805 Cache Creek Way.
• Lakeport: Library Park, 200 Park St.; and Highland Springs, 3600 E. Highland Springs Road.
• Lucerne: Lucerne Harbor Park, 6215 E. State Highway 20.
• Nice: Rodman Slough County Park, 1005 Nice-Lucerne Cut-off.
• Upper Lake: Habematolel Pomo EPA office, 9425 Main St.

To participate or for more information, email Lake County Public Services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-263-2344.

In previous years, Lake County’s volunteers have removed tons of trash and recyclables not just from the shores of Clear Lake but local creeks.

The Coastal Commission reported that in 2023, more than 45,762 volunteers removed 376,308 pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s waterways, beaches and lakes in the one-day cleanup event.

In partnership with the California Division of Boating and Waterways, 41 boating facilities and groups participated in the event with 1,799 volunteers collecting 17,641 pounds of trash and recyclables on land and from 203 kayaks, canoes and dinghies, the Coastal Commission reported.

Past cleanup data showed that 75% of the debris that was removed was composed of plastic, a material that never completely biodegrades and has numerous harmful consequences for the environment. The commission said plastic debris can kill wildlife, leach toxins into the environment, and introduce them into the food chain.

This year 45 California State Parks units also will be participating in the Coastal Cleanup Day.

To join this statewide effort, visit the California Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 webpage. Volunteers are encouraged to reuse items they may have at home.

Participants are encouraged to share their cleanup experience on social media using the hashtag #coastalcleanupday. Follow statewide efforts on Facebook, X and on Instagram.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.