Want to Volunteer for Beach Cleanup? Here’s How

“Three in four Californians (77%) say the condition of the ocean and beaches is very important to California’s future economy and quality of life,” according to the Public Policy Institute of California . If you agree but aren’t exactly sure what you can do to ensure our oceans and beaches are taken care of, read on!

Every summer, The Heights at Signal Hill joins AMC for its annual beach cleanup day. Even though 2020’s social distancing requirements won’t allow us all to clean up the beach together, the tradition continues.

On July 25, let’s each head down to the beach, or even a nearby park, with our household members to pick up the trash that threatens our beaches and the wildlife. If we each do our part, our small efforts will combine to yield great results for our beautiful California beaches and parks! Here’s why beach cleanup matters and what you’ll need to do to prepare.

Why Beach Cleanup Matters to Us

Cleaning up beaches and parks is satisfying, helps wildlife and the economy, and is a good activity for a healthy lifestyle.

“There is satisfaction to say, ‘I removed ten pounds of trash from my beach,’” says Kara Lavender Law, a research oceanography professor. “Even if it’s only ten pounds, that’s ten pounds that isn’t going to go into the open ocean.”

In addition to protecting wildlife, “clean beaches provide economic benefit to local communities in the form of tourism dollars,” says Laura Parker at National Geographic . “In southern California, researchers calculated that in Orange County alone that potential could translate into $46 million in just one summer.”

Whether you head to Signal Hill or Hilltop Parks or take a trip to Seal Beach or Long Beach, your cleanup efforts are important and needed! As an added bonus, beach and park cleanup doubles nicely as a unique workout!

Supplies You’ll Need on July 25

Once you’ve marked your calendar for the July 25 cleanup, it’s time to move forward with preparations. On top of a reusable water bottle and quick-energy snacks, add these supplies to your list:

Safety during COVID-19

With pandemic guidelines still in place, your cleanup crew might be small this year, with just your roommates or immediate family members lending a hand. If you’re expanding the invitation to extended family and friends, follow this CDC advice: “When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.” In keeping with California’s mask mandate , wear your mask “when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.”

Keeping our beaches and parks clean is important to Californians and to our state’s future! Time spent cleaning the parks and beaches is time well spent. So join us for our beach cleanup day on July 25 or anytime during the month of July! Tag The Heights at Signal Hill in your photos and use the hashtags #AMCcleanup and #livehappy. We can’t wait to see the difference we’ll make together—yet six feet apart!