Central Coast areas get a spring cleaning

Hundreds of volunteers picked up thousands of pounds of garbage from 11 different sites in Monterey and Santa Cruz.

“All the illegal dumping, all the stuff that happens on the street, it flushes to the ocean, said Ryan Kallabis, communications manager for Save Our Shores. “So we have a high concentration of waste and pollution that ends up on our beaches and into the Marine ecosystem.”

The San Lorenzo River was one area that got some spring cleaning.

“It’s a recreational spot, it’s beautiful, it’s part of the watershed, said volunteer Mary Ellingwood.

It also helps the ecosystem in the mountains and supports ocean life.

Volunteers said this year, heavy El Nino rain storms have made it dirtier than usual.

“I think El Nino does stir up smaller particles of trash,” said sanctuary Steward Steve Plaich. “When the water is stirring up the sand there are layers of trash and small particles that goes down feet on the beaches. So the more that gets stirred up to the surface, the more there is to pick up.”

Save Our Shores said Saturday’s clean up can also help craft laws to protect marine life and sustainability.

“We can use the data that we collected today to help get better legislation on banning plastic bags, banning certain products that end up in our rivers and oceans,” said Tyler Feld with Save Our Shores.

Other than protecting marine wildlife, organizers said a clean environment has an economic impact.

“The Monterey Bay is highly a tourist related economy,” said Kallabis. “So the cleaner that it is the more friendly that it is and the more opportunities that people can enjoy that beautiful landscape, the more economic impact and benefit that we receive.” –

Save Our Shores is hosting more clean ups this Sunday at the Davenport Main Beach and the streets near Schwan Lagoon.