Adopt a Beach Program
The Adopt-A-Beach program is organized by the California Coastal Commission and cooperating organizations throughout the State with the goal of removing litter and debris from California Beaches. In order to adopt a beach, volunteers agree to clean the beach they have selected at least three times in a one year period. This is a project that gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn about and actively participate in conserving coastal resources. The program is free, all materials required for clean ups are provided. Interpretive talks on the effects of marine debris can be provided if your group would like additional information. Please come help us to be part of the solution to ocean pollution!
How to Get Involved
The Clean Beaches Coalition has collaborated efforts with beach managers in city, county and state agencies in order to simplify the steps required to schedule a beach clean up. Because each agency has it’s own permit process, the Clean Beaches Coalition will schedule the beach and clean up date as well as provide a beach captain who will meet your group at the beach for education and interpretation. You can also volunteer during a clean up already scheduled by the Clean Beaches Coalition, including the annual Coastal Cleanup Day. Either way, this is a comprehensive and simple way to become involved and make a difference.
If you or your organization would like to organize a clean up on your own, then you must contact the appropriate agency who has jurisdiction over the chosen beach and complete paperwork with that agency. The California Coastal Commission’s website, www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/aab/aab1.html, explains the Adopt-A-Beach program in detail and provides a list of adoptable beaches and contact information for beach managers in each county. You may also call (800)COAST-4U. On the day of the clean up, all volunteers will need to sign the Adopt-A-Beach waiver and return it to the beach manager.
We look forward to having you join us in the Adopt-A-Beach effort!