Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Outreach Intern, Taylor!

Here in the I Love A Clean San Diego office, we’re fresh off the excitement and success of Coastal Cleanup Day, but we’re also gearing up for our next series of events, the 3^rd annual Tijuana River Action Month (TRAM) Cleanups. TRAM is a bi-national effort that takes place down near the border; there will be cleanups on both sides of the border during this month, how cool is that!

ILACSD, along with the Tijuana River Action Network (TRAN) and the help of many other invaluable partners, have two events scheduled during the month of October, one on October 6^th at Effie May Trail and one on October 20^th near Dairy Mart Road and Camino de la Plaza, both along the notoriously messy Tijuana Watershed. As usual, ILACSD will be bringing all the necessary supplies, but the BYOB (bring your own bucket) policy is still in full swing!

Although the TRAM cleanups aren’t our biggest events of the year, (it’s hard to beat 7,200 volunteers for Coastal Cleanup Day!) they are maybe the most important. The Tijuana Watershed is consistently filled with tons of trash, from plastic debris like food containers, bleach bottles, and plastic utensils, to the most consistently found item, tires.

You may be asking why October has been chosen for the honor of being christened Tijuana River Action Month and the answer is super simple, rain! TRAN wants to get these areas cleaned up before the winter rains come to San Diego and send all of the trash into our beautiful Pacific Ocean. If not for the hard work of ILACSD’s volunteers, all of those plastics, pieces of Styrofoam and tires would go straight into the ocean, our backyard and playground!

As you can see from the pictures taken just a few weeks ago at the October 20^th site, this area desperately needs our help and our hands! Typically, volunteers are more hesitant to go down near the border to participate in a cleanup because of the distance and many other factors. Nevertheless, it’s because of these challenges that this area needs the most help. Last year at these two events, 63,476 pounds of trash and 351 tires were removed; if this much good was done last year with a little over 2,500 volunteers, think of all the good we could do this year if we had even more helping hands!

While cleaning up the Tijuana Watershed is the star of the day, that doesn’t mean it’s the only thing to do while down at the border on October 6^th or the 20^th. For example, on October 6^th, the Audubon Society and REI will be leading nature walks through the different trails throughout Effie May Trail. Then on the 20^th, ILACSD along with Think Blue, the City of Sand Diego’s storm water pollution prevention division, will be stenciling storm drains near our Dairy Mart Road site to let people know that anything this put down the drains here go straight into the ocean. Finally, as a reward to our volunteers after each TRAM event there will be a raffle of fabulous prizes! I hope you decide to come out to one of the TRAM events to give the Tijuana Watershed some much need TLC!

Click here to find more information and sign up for these cleanup events.

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s newest Outreach Intern, Taylor!

Hi! I’m Taylor Goelz and I’m the new Outreach Intern at I Love A Clean San Diego. I’m a junior Environmental Studies major and French minor at University of San Diego, right up the road from the beautiful Liberty Station location of ILACSD. I was super excited at the prospect of interning with ILACSD because I wanted to be able to make a real difference environmentally in the city of San Diego and I couldn’t have chosen a better place to intern for the semester!

I just started my internship last week and I was quickly thrown into Coastal Cleanup Day mode. Over the summer when I was being interviewed by the lovely Community Outreach Coordinator, Lexi Ambrogi, practically the first question she asked me was if I was free on September 15^th for this event. It was intimidating enough being the new girl, first week on the job, but of course the biggest event that ILACSD holds all year was going to be the first event that I attended! Hearing my alarm go off at 5:30 last Saturday was rough, I’m not going to lie, but once I got to the site and started unloading the U-Haul full of stuff with the rest of the staff and interns, I started to get really excited for the day that lay ahead.

Lexi had forewarned me that the Serra Mesa Community Center that was serving as the Kickoff Site this year had about 300 volunteers registered but nothing prepared me for the vast amount of people that started descending on the registration table that I was working starting at 8:30! ILACSD had encouraged people to BYOB (bring your own buckets) and gloves and I was pleasantly surprised at how many people showed up lugging big buckets!

The only unfortunate thing about Coastal Cleanup Day was the heat! Now I’m from Tucson, Arizona and typically I can handle heat, but Saturday was a whole different kind of hot, even for me! I was so happy that despite the triple digit temperatures volunteers still came out and did some amazing work! While the final totals are still coming in, even with the heat, we are estimating that Coastal Cleanup Day drew over 7,200 volunteers at the 88 cleanup sites around San Diego County. The numbers are in for the amount of trash, recyclables, green waste (mainly invasive species pulled from area parks and canyons) that ILACSD collected on Saturday and we collected 150,000 poundsof trash and debris!

Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who took time out of their busy lives, and braved the heat, to make our community a cleaner, healthier place to live!

If you weren’t able to make it to Coastal Cleanup Day, or if you came out to volunteer and want to make your impact last even longer, you can text the word CLEAN to the number 80888 to donate $10 to I Love A Clean San Diego!

No personal information is required; the donation will simply show up on your next cell phone bill. Your single donation of $10 can help us remove an additional 300 pounds of trash from the local environment in the next year!

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Marketing Intern, Brian!

Park Ranger Jason Allen is no stranger to Coastal Cleanup Day. Though he bounces to a different site every year, Jason is in his seventh year as a CCD Site Captain. This year he is leading the charge at our Golden Hill – Juniper Canyon site.

Sure the scope of Coastal Cleanup Day is expansive, but you could almost say CCD is just another day in the life of Jason. As a Park Ranger for the Open Spaces Division of the City of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department, Jason and his coworkers manage 3,200 acres of open space canyons and parkland throughout the city limits.

In the realm of open spaces, CCD offers Jason an opportunity. As with other years, he’s able to choose cleanup sites that don’t normally have regular volunteer cleanups and are in need of some special attention. In fact, Jason makes sure to choose a different site each year in order to maximize his efforts.

Q:  What motivated you to volunteer with I Love A Clean San Diego?

A:  I have a passion for protecting, preserving and enhancing the natural open space canyons and parklands the city has to offer. Part of protecting, preserving and enhancing these sensitive unique open space areas are by keeping them clean of trash and debris. It only seemed natural to work with ILACSD to achieve this goal.

Q:  Why do you think events like Coastal Cleanup Day are important?

A:  Coastal Cleanup Day is important because it helps to educate people through volunteering. People learn firsthand that it’s not okay to just throw their trash on the street or into a storm drain. That trash can be deadly to wildlife, it pollutes the groundwater, and it’s just an ugly sight. If left untouched, the trash eventually finds its way through storm drains and into our sensitive open spaces and ocean. If we stop the trash at the inland sources, it will help keep San Diego and the ocean healthy and clean.

Q:  What is the strangest piece of trash you’ve found?

A:  A roller skating trophy. It was the old style skate with four wheels and all. I think it was from the 1970s. It must have been a cherished achievement to someone at some point.

There is still time to sign up and volunteer at Coastal Cleanup Day, but not much! The event is this Saturday, September 15th from 9am to noon. Go to www.cleanupday.org and find a Coastal Cleanup Site near you!

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Marketing Intern, Brian!

Co-captains Monica Fuentes and Kevin Johnston are teaming up for Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15^th at the I Love A Clean San Diego media site to take on the hefty project of the Serra Mesa’s canyon lands.

Monica is no stranger to Ruffin Canyon, an area near her home that extends over 84 acres. Over the years she has been a site captain at many of its Creek to Bay and Coastal Cleanup Day sites, periodically setting up new cleanups within Serra Mesa.  In fact, Monica has volunteered so many times that she’s lost track. Though not even sure how many years it’s been, judging by the number of ILACSD shirts in her closet we’d have to say it’s been a lot!

Although Kevin is new to the Serra Mesa site, he’s also no stranger to Coastal Cleanup Day.  This will be his sixth year as a CCD site captain, the previous five being at Eugene Canyon in Normal Heights.  This year he is using his expertise to tackle Serra Mesa’s Library Canyon. These experienced canyon captains are a perfect pair to head up this site, and Monica is sure to use her site knowledge to guide them both to excellence.

Monica became involved with ILACSD through her work with Friends of Ruffin Canyon, a local Serra Mesa group that fosters community participation in the protection of Ruffin Canyon. Although an avid hiker and gardener, it wasn’t until she became involved with Friends of Ruffin Canyon that she started learning about the native plants in and around the area.  Now she works hard with the group to preserve the native species while getting rid of invasive plants.

Kevin is a nature lover that has been drawn to the canyons ever since he moved to San Diego. He simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to clean up his local canyon with the help of an organization and a  team of volunteers. Receiving the publicity, supplies and encouragement that CCD has to offer was definitely a bonus.

What motivated you to be a site captain with I Love A Clean San Diego?

Kevin:  I prefer to volunteer in the local canyon in the neighborhood I live in. I live in Serra Mesa now, and Library Canyon hasn’t had as much attention as Ruffin. It’s great to have these local nature escapes and interesting habitats in the urban environment.

Why do you think events like Coastal Cleanup Day are important?

Kevin:  ILACSD events have been essential in improving our water quality, the health of our natural urban ecosystems, and the overall aesthetics of our open space areas – encouraging nature-based recreation by the locals and giving sensitive species a place to thrive.

Monica:  Coastal Cleanup Day is a great event because it helps publicize the importance of cleanups in our inland area and prevents debris from ending up in the ocean. Although inland, Ruffin Canyon connects to the San Diego River.

What is the strangest piece of trash you’ve found at Coastal Cleanup Day?

Kevin:  We found a Mr. Potato Head toy in Eugene Canyon one year.

Monica:  The strangest piece of trash was an empty safe that had been pried open…

You can join Monica and Kevin’s team in Serra Mesa by clicking here and registering!

Not near Serra Mesa?  Go to www.cleanupday.org and find a Coastal Cleanup Site near you!

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Marketing Intern, Brian!

This week our Site Captain spotlight shines brightly on the lovely Barbara C. Anderson at our Lake Murray Coastal Cleanup Day site!

Barbara has been actively working to keep her part of San Diego County clean for over 18 years now. In 1994 she founded Friends of Lake Murray, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to engaging community members about the natural wonders of their shared public space and taking responsibility for keeping that area clean, beautiful and accessible to everyone.

Lake Murray is an important place for Barbara because of its beauty.  It’s a beautiful public space where people can exercise and take in the nature that surrounds them. She volunteers her time to ensure that the area is clean, accessible and enjoyed by many – and she has inspired countless others to do the same.

Barbara understands first hand the value of volunteerism. The Friends of Lake Murray organization exists because it’s able to make a bigger impact than the existing lake staff can make on their own. Friends of Lake Murray coordinates beautification activities, clears out invasive species, and obtains much-needed items for the area such as picnic tables and doggie bags.

Barbara’s favorite part of organizing community cleanups is the participation of children and families. She ensures their participation through her outreach to schools, churches and scouts. Barbara loves seeing kids return to cleanups as teenagers. “My theory is if children participate in the cleanups they won’t throw trash on the ground.”

Q:  What motivated you to be a Site Captain for Coastal Cleanup Day?

A:  When we started as a non0profit in 1994, our group did monthly cleanups. We found dead and injured birds wrapped in fishing line, and there was plastic everything everywhere. It wasn’t possible for the lake staff to do their jobs and also try to maintain a clean environment. When I got the call from ILACSD about participating in a big cleanup day we jumped at the opportunity!

Q:  Have you always been a site captain for one particular site?

A:  The answers is yes! The lake is important, not only to me but to our whole community, as a place to exercise and absorb nature. Anyone can come out and bike, run, walk, or even just sit on a bench and zone out if they like. Lake Murray has easy access to all.

Q:  What’s your favorite part of participating in Coastal Cleanup Day?

A:  That’s easy. The Children! I will often hear children ask a grownup, “why do people throw trash on the ground? That’s awful!” It’s a perfect day for parents and kids to bond.

Q:  Why do you think events like Coastal Cleanup Day are important

A:  One reason to keep the environment clean is because people tend to throw trash in receptacles if the area is trash free. Peer pressure works too though. For example, we were the first to get doggie bag dispensers all over our lake road, and now many other places make them available as well.

You can join Barbara’s team at the Lake Murray site by clicking here and registering!

Not near Lake Murray?  Go to www.cleanupday.org and find a Coastal Cleanup Site near you!

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Marketing Intern, Brian!

Ted Godshalk isn’t just an all-star Site Captain who is devoting his time to Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15^th; he’s also an all-star teacher, educating students about the importance of environmental awareness! Now in his 7^th year as a CCD Site Captain, Ted’s veteran expertise is a valuable asset. National City is lucky to have such a devoted Site Captain!

Stemming from his former adult life spent as a National School District Classroom Teacher, and his current work as a part time teacher in the both the Sweetwater Union High School District and the Coronado Unified School District, Ted is no stranger to taking charge and organizing groups.

Not only an experienced educator, but also Natural Resource Management Certified, he is a great and valuable asset to his neighborhood, his site and his volunteers.  Ted loves the idea that ILACSD offers the chance to rapidly improve small, formerly-neglected wetlands in the heart of a heavily urbanized area.

As an urban wetland, the Paradise Creek cleanup site offers a great perspective about the direct impact that cities have on local ecosystems.  Let Ted tell you all about the importance of clean waterways and preserving wetlands as you help him on September 15th. “There is nothing better than seeing the huge amount of work that is accomplished in a single day!”

Q:  What motivated you to be a Site Captain with I Love A Clean San Diego?

A:  As a site captain I have always been at Paradise Creek Educational Park in National City.  This site is important to me because it is in my neighborhood.

As a teacher, Paradise Creek is an excellent place to help students and community members learn about the importance of wetlands and the fragile habitat.  Many children have their first exposure to environmental awareness and action through their days spent at Paradise Creek. This place is my “Everglades.”

Q:  Why do you think events like Coastal Cleanup Day are important?

A:  With Coastal Cleanup Days, skilled organizers utilize the power of big numbers of people at sites where the impact of their good work is like a surgical strike on the enemies: trash and other debris. The Ocean and its animals love Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers!

Q:  What is the strangest piece of trash you’ve seen at Coastal Cleanup Day?

A:  One year, a volunteer found a vintage football helmet. That’s not as strange as other things I’ve heard of though.

You can join Ted’s team at the National City – Paradise Creek site by clicking here and registering!

Not near National City?  Go to www.cleanupday.org and find a Coastal Cleanup Site near you!