END OF SUMMER CLEAN-UP TRIP

September 25, 2010
(note, normally held the third Saturday of September, but rescheduled for 2010)
in conjunction with the California Coastal Commission

Each year in September, more than 40,000 volunteers turn out to hundreds of cleanup sites statewide to conduct what has been hailed by the Guinness Book of Records as "the largest garbage collection". The effort is part of The Ocean Conservancy's international beach and waterway cleanup effort taking place on the third Saturday of September every year.

Upon hearing about the cleanup effort many years ago, SNAC decided to get involved and sponsor an inland cleanup at one of the more popular recreational destinations off of Hwy 4. We like to refer to it as "tucking our high alpine lakes in for the winter."

One of 600 cleanup locations in California that day, SNAC's Cleanup is just a small part of the enormous effort taking place around the world that day. All 50 states and over 100 countries take part in the International Cleanup, making this effort the largest marine-related volunteer event in the world. Last year, over 391,000 volunteers collected over 9 million pounds of garbage and recycling in only three hours. Over half of that debris was related to shoreline recreational activites, including many common food and beverage-related items such as cans, bottles, plates, and food wrappers.

"As a business that works closely with paddlers and campers, we felt it was our responsibility to bring this event into our own back yard." explains Jill Seale, co-owner of SNAC and event organizer. "The cleanup trips give us a chance to paddle with like minded members of our community and work together to keep our favorite recreational destinations pristine."

SNAC's Utica Cleanup is always held on the third Saturday in September, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. There is no charge, but advanced registration is required.

The group starts it's day at SNAC in Arnold at 8am. After a briefing from organizers, the cleanup volunteers continue on to the lake where they paddle to various campsites and/or hike in, to cleanup the shoreline.

"We also collect data that day which is an important part of the California Coastal Commission's research." adds Seale.

Would you like to join us?

There is no charge and we would LOVE to have you join us for the day! If you are interested in signing up, please contact SNAC at 209.795.9310 or snac@snacattack.com . We encourage you to bring your kayak or canoe! It allows you to access parts of the lake that aren't accessible via foot. Also, bring appropriate paddling clothes, a sack lunch, and plenty of water! We will provide trash bags, rubber gloves, and hand wipes.

If you are out of the area, be sure to visit California Coastal Commission to find a cleanup scheduled near you!

California Coastal Cleanup Day - Nationwide coastal cleanup effort in September every year. In California the yearly cleanup picks up over 1,500,000 pieces of debris that weigh in at over 600,000 pounds of trash and almost 54,000 pounds of recyclables. The collected data is a powerful voice for conservation and is used to influence governmental and corporate policy.

Leave No Trace - The mission of the Leave No Trace (LNT) program is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, and partnerships.