Coastal cleanup returns to SLV Saturday

Two San Lorenzo Valley groups will sponsor cleanup efforts Saturday, Sept. 25, in conjunction with the worldwide Coastal Cleanup.
The Valley Women’s Club will host its annual River and Road cleanup in Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek, and SLV Citizens Organized for Responsible Ecology will host the cleanup at Felton Covered Bridge Park.
Last year, 183 Coastal Cleanup volunteers collected and carried away about 5,620 pounds of trash from the San Lorenzo River and nearby roads, reported Nancy Macy, Valley Women’s Club organizer.
“Because of the number of people that pass through the valley, the amount of litter is very high,” Macy said.
She said one problem is that some people use their pickups as trash receptacles.
“A surprising number literally get rid of their household garbage on the side of the road instead of the dump,” Macy said. “Last year, we found stockpiles of appliances and bags of trash.”
Environmental health is at the center of the cleanup.
“The main reason to help is for the health of the waterways and the creatures that live there and are impacted,” Macy said. “Once it gets in there, it starts doing damage, and that damage gets carried all the way to the ocean and adds to its problems.”
At a glance
WHAT: SLV River and Road Cleanup and worldwide Coastal Cleanup
WHEN: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25
WHERE:
**Felton Covered Bridge Park, Graham Hill Road and Mount Hermon Road, in Felton; after noon, the sign-up table will move to Rite-Aid, 6123 Highway 9
**SLV Redemption/Recycling Center, 100 Forest St., in Boulder Creek
**Highway 9 at Fillmore Street in Ben Lomond
INFO: Nancy Macy, 338-1728; or www.slvcore.org