Community Effort Beach cleanup July 5

In what has become a well-established tradition, the Redwoods Parks Conservancy (RPC), along with the Smith River Alliance (SRA), will be rallying volunteers for the annual cleanup of beaches following July 4 celebrations at local beaches.

Last year’s efforts removed 3,920 pounds of trash from the sands of South Beach, Crescent Beach, and Pebble Beach.

Local beaches host between 5,000 to 15,000 visitors for Independence Day celebrations making the threat of pollution significant. Volunteers at last year’s clean-up collected a staggering 3,290 pounds of trash and toxic firework debris.

In a statement released by RPC Executive Director, Sal Munoz Moreno, he said, “By joining forces on July 5th, we reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our coastal environment. Every volunteer who joins us on July 5th is making a tangible difference in protecting our coastal ecosystem and preserving the natural beauty of Crescent City.”

“If [the remnants] get washed out to sea, [it’s] incredibly poisonous,” Communications Manager for the Redwood Parks Conservancy Taralyn Thomas said to KRCRTV. “Plastic and things like that are swallowed by animals will then kill that animal. Then, it will float back up and kill more animals, so it’s really important that this stuff does not enter the ocean.”

Recognizing the importance of this effort the collaboration of agencies and organizations working together as key partners with SRA and RPC includes California State Parks, the National Park Service, CalTrans, and the Del Norte Solid Waste Authority. As they have in previous cleanups, the Waste Management Authority waived all transfer fees for the garbage collected.

The SRA was formed over 40 years as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) to safeguard the unique, beautiful, and endangered natural resources of the Smith River watershed and Del Norte County. They work with local communities, conservation groups and government agencies to protect and restore the spectacular forests, rivers and wildlife of the greater Smith River ecosystem in northern California and southern Oregon. Their efforts are geared towards ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of these ecosystems for future generations.

Among their key projects and initiatives are watershed protection, fish monitoring and habitat restoration, Mill Creek restoration, and estuary restoration. They actively engage in legislative and advocacy efforts and engage with community conservation groups and government agencies to promote the protection and restoration of the Smith River ecosystem. They organize events such as coastal wetlands cleanups and provide educational resources to foster public awareness and involvement in conservation efforts.

The RPC is another 501(c)(3) formed to support and preserve the redwood forests and public lands of northern California. They work in partnership with government agencies such as the National Park Service, California State Parks, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Among their undertakings are the Grove of Titans project, a conservation and visitor access initiative located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and the California Condor Restoration program

They also provide education and outreach. RPC focuses on educating visitors and the public about the importance of redwood forests and their conservation. They provide educational programs and enhance visitor experiences in the parks.

Date and Time: Friday, July 5, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Location: The cleanup will target three main beach areas in Crescent City:

- South Beach

- Crescent Beach

- Pebble Beach

4. Meeting Point:

110 Anchor Way, Crescent City, CA.

All necessary cleanup supplies will be provided, including trash bags, pickers, dumpsters, and sharps containers. Additionally, snacks and refreshments will be available to keep volunteers energized throughout the event.

For safety reasons, volunteers are advised to wear closed-toe shoes and pants. Those unable to attend the clean-up event in person can still contribute by making a donation to RPC. Donations will support the purchase of essential supplies and personnel needed to make the clean-up a success.