Author: Vivian Matuk (Environmental Boating Program Coordinator, California State Parks Division of Boating & Waterways and California Coastal Commission)
Does your yacht club want to be part of the state’s largest volunteer and family oriented event? Keep reading because this article will tell you how your yacht club can organize and participate in a fun and unique event: The 2016 California Coastal Cleanup Day (CCD) Sat., Sept. 17, 2016, from 9 a.m.–Noon.
CCD is an international annual beach and shoreline cleanup event that has seen participation from more than 1.3 million volunteers who have collected more than 22 million pounds of debris since 1985! In CA, this event is led by the California Coastal Commission (CCC).
In 2011, The CCC and the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) in partnership with Sequoia Yacht Club, Port Royal Yacht Club, Heal the Bay and the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program helped launch a pilot program to further engage the boating community. Together these clubs and their 63 enthusiastic volunteers collected 1,267 pounds of trash and recyclables from the shoreline and on the water with non-motorized vessels. Since 2012, and based on the success of the pilot project, CCC and DBW started promoting this program among boating facilities.
Considering the fact that CCD supports PICYA’s mission of environmental stewardship and promoting safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sound boating, this program has been endorsed by your organization since 2012. Yacht clubs participating in this statewide event receive points towards the nomination of the Club of the Year under the community service category.
In 2015, 36 boating facilities and more than 620 volunteers cleaned 48 miles and collected 10,847 pounds of trash and recyclables on land and from the water using 87 vessels (kayaks, canoes, and dinghies). Statewide more than 68,000 volunteers participated in CCD removing over 1.1 million pounds of trash and recyclables from our waterways, beaches and lakes. We would like to thank the 9 Northern CA yacht clubs already participating and we hope to see the rest of your 98 clubs out there this year! We know many more clubs want to make a difference and be part of this international event.
Your yacht club can easily be part of this event. To get involved follow these simple steps:
1. Watch this video of Sequoia Yacht Club's Coastal Cleanup Day.
2. Contact the Statewide Coastal Cleanup Day Boating Program Coordinator or Outreach Manager:
Vivian Matuk
Environmental Boating Program Coordinator
California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
California Coastal Commission
(415) 904-6905
vmatuk@coastal.ca.gov
Eben Schwartz
Outreach Manager, Public Education Program
California Coastal Commission
(415) 904-5210
Eben.Schwartz@coastal.ca.gov
3. Become a Site Captain for your facility, work with us and your County Coordinator on planning your event.
4. Participate in the event and be part of the solution to marine pollution!
We hope your club can be part of this great event!