Volunteer for Beach Cleanup in Los Angeles County, California

Living along the coast in Southern California inspires many of us to be thoughtful and respectful of the beauty surrounding us, and do everything we can to keep our beaches clean. I'm selfish enough to think that we can make a difference for our children, and our children's children.

You only have to go fishing one time along our beautiful sunny, Southern California coastline, and catch floating debris (instead of fish) tangled up in your fishing line, to want to do something about it. We can start at the shoreline, and clean up after those who don't seem to care where they leave their trash.

Ongoing Beach Cleanup Events

There are many beach cleanup parties and programs available in which you can participate. If you would like to volunteer along with us, contact one of these organizations for on-going beach cleanup events and opportunities to help keep your oceans clean.

30 Minute Beach Cleanup - Belmont Shore

Friends volunteer every 3^rd Saturday of the month from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. on the beach at the corner of Ocean Blvd. and Granada Ave. in Belmont Shore, between the cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach. Get more information about this award-winning ongoing program online at beachcleanup.org

Save Our Beach Cleanup - Seal Beach

Friends volunteer every 3^rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, on the beach at the corner of 1^st St. and Ocean Ave. For more information about this ongoing beach cleanup, as well as wetlands cleanup, visit online at saveourbeach.org.

Heal the Bay One-Time Beach Cleanups

Volunteers spend 2 hours on Thursdays, and on the 3^rd Saturday of every month. The locations and time slots are limited, and available by appointment only for groups of 10 or more. Further sign-up information is available by calling the One-Time Beach Cleanups hotline at (310)395-6241 or online at www.healthebay.org. School field trips (K-8) are encouraged for the "Waves, Wetlands and Watersheds," a California Coastal Commission's approved educational curriculum.

Times on Thursdays are 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and the 3^rd Saturday of every month at 9:00 a.m. or 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., only at these Los Angeles County participating beaches:

Dockweiler State Beach

Hermosa Beach

Manhattan Beach

Santa Monica Beach

Venice Beach

Will Rogers State Beach

Oxygen from Ocean Plant Life

By helping clean up the beach on your next visit, you are not only protecting one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, you are also helping to protect our ocean life. According to WikiAnswers at http://wiki.answers.com an estimated 70% to 80% of breathable oxygen is produced by ocean plant life.

According to the chart on the California Department of Fish and Game website, on their "Public Health Advisories on Fish Consumption" page at www.dfg.ca.gov a "Do not consume" fish recommendation is found along some of our Southern California beaches, due to chemical toxins and pollutants. We all need to try to do whatever we can to preserve our natural resources, even if it is just picking up our own trash.

Unique Eco-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities in Southern California and Nationwide