Coming Together to Preserve the Health of Our Region
Every year, thousands of motivated San Diegans join forces to remove pollution threatening our local environment on a very special day in September: Coastal Cleanup Day. This long-standing 35- year tradition, organized by I Love A Clean San Diego, is all in support of environmental stewardship and a deep love for our home, the San Diego region. Since its inception, Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers have removed 5 million pounds of litter and debris to date. For over 20 years, San Diego Gas & Electric® (SDG&E) and Sempra have partnered with I Love A Clean San Diego to participate in Coastal Cleanup Day while also encouraging hundreds of its employees to participate annually.
“I Love A Clean San Diego is a regional powerhouse that encourages San Diegans to turn their passion into action. Team SDG&E has been a long-time collaborator and I have had the chance to witness the power of our united efforts firsthand for almost two decades,” said Morgan Justice-Black, community relations manager at SDG&E. “Coastal Cleanup Day is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and teach the next generation how to take care of our planet. Come join us on September 23.”
Last year, SDG&E employee volunteers were responsible for diverting 110,000 pounds of litter and debris from San Diego’s cherished parks and beaches, helping to protect and preserve our local ecosystems for future generations. In addition to collecting litter and debris, volunteers also participate in ecosystem rehabilitation projects including removal of invasive plants, planting fruit trees, pruning vegetation and planting native species to create habitats. Participation is open to families and individuals at over 100 locations.
San Diego’s Coastal Cleanup Day is a major part of the International Coastal Cleanup. The San Diego program is facilitated by the Ocean Conservancy and organized statewide by the California Coastal Commission. Without this robust defense of our waterways, the scientific community estimates that by 2050, the world’s oceans could contain more plastic than fish by weight.
I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environmental nonprofit founded in 1954. ILACSD leads and inspires our community to actively conserve and enhance the environment through example, outreach and local involvement. The organization serves about 100,000 students, adults and businesses every year by providing environmental education, volunteer cleanup and beautification programs, and recycling and zero waste solutions. ILACSD hosts over 900 educational workshops and produces 600 community cleanups each year on average.
ILACSD is dedicated to empowering every person to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living in order to preserve the health of the home we love. To learn more about I Love A Clean San Diego, and to find a Coastal Cleanup Day cleanup site near you, visit www.cleansd.org.
