The Smith River Alliance hosted an Earth Day coastal cleanup last Friday with approximately 60 hard-working volunteers.
Over a two-hour period, the volunteers removed approximately two tons of trash, plus recyclables.
This trash would have polluted our marine ecosystems along the California North Coast and Elk Creek Wetland and Wildlife Area.
The Smith River Alliance hopes that its work will inspire others to take part in some form of stewardship activity.
“With roughly 80 percent of Del Norte County surface area in public ownership, there are vast stewardship opportunities,” said Grant Werschkull, co-executive director. “Such work is important to Del Norte County’s travel and tourism-based economy. Plus it’s great exercise!”
Werschkull offered a “Big Thank You” to all the volunteers that assisted on Earth Day, as well as to the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority for covering transfer station fees. He also credited program associate Gustavo Vasquez for turning out volunteers and organizing the event. “He did an amazing job,” Werschkull added. “It was a gorgeous day to be out there, which certainly helped us with volunteer turnout.”
The Smith River Alliance will be hosting additional community cleanups along the California Coast this year, as well as managing the Adopt-A-Beach Program for Del Norte County.
For more information about the Smith River Alliance, and to learn how you can participate in a vast array of outdoor volunteer activities, contact Contact Gustavo Vasquez at [email protected] .