(Orange County, Calif.) – Join OC Parks, Newport Bay Conservancy and fellow volunteers for Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay Saturday, Sept. 19. Spend the morning protecting local coastlines and wildlife and contribute to the removal of thousands of pounds of trash and recyclables that make their way into the bay.
Each year on the third Saturday in September, Coastal Cleanup Day mobilizes people around the world to remove trash from beaches and waterways. In Orange County, various groups gather and volunteer their time cleaning up Upper Newport Bay, one of the largest estuaries in Southern California, as well as numerous other sites.
“One third of Orange County’s tourism economy is bolstered by our ocean economy. Coastal Cleanup Day in the Upper Newport Bay highlights the vital role we all play in protecting the environment and our natural resources,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Keeping our beaches, waterways and bays clean preserves our local habitats, maintains their unique beauty, and supports a critical piece of our local economy.”
At least 1,000 volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to remove trash and invasive plant species. Volunteers will meet at various mini-cleanup day sites around the 11-mile loop of the bay to help achieve the goal of 10,000 pounds of trash removed. The exact meeting locations will be shared prior to Sept. 19.
Participants are encouraged to wear old clothes and closed-toe shoes (tall/rubber boots are best) and bring a refillable water bottle, gloves and a trash bag or bucket. A commemorative T-shirt will be given to all volunteers.
Coastal Cleanup Day
Date: Sept. 19
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cost and Parking: Free
Location: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/cud2026
Additional Event Partners: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, City of Newport Beach, Orange County Coastkeeper, Newport Aquatic Center and Inside the Outdoors.
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OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. https://parks.oc.gov/