COASTAL CLEANUP DAY
Saturday, September 21, 2024 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Save the Date!!
You Are Bigger Than You Think!
2023 Costal Cleanup Recap by Krystle Catamura
The Fairfield-Suisun community and the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District (FSSD) have done it again at this year’s Coastal Cleanup! Almost 400 volunteers gathered at 18 sites and collected a total of 13,390 pounds of garbage. Some peculiar items found in our waterways included school desks, broken umbrellas, and even cabinet doors.
This year’s Coastal Cleanup spanned two weekends. Local scout troops met at Lower Dan Wilson Creek on September 16th and collected 200 pounds of trash, but the fun did not end there! On Saturday, September 23rd we saw incredible efforts from our community, including Girl Scout Troops, students, retired environmentalists, and FSSD employees.
This year’s impressive totals and progress were possible because of the enthusiasm and determination of every single one of our volunteers and site captains. From kayaking into the middle of the Suisun City Marina to collect floating debris, to shoveling heaps of garbage out of Lower Ledgewood Creek, everyone’s efforts demonstrated the resolution and commitment of Fairfield-Suisun’s residents and FSSD employees to protect our environment and waterways.
No effort went unnoticed as every piece of trash contributed to this year’s impressive total. Remember that while Coastal Cleanup only happens once a year, there are countless opportunities to continue protecting our environments and communities. Whether it is bringing reusable bags to your grocery run, keeping oil out of your kitchen sinks, or participating in FSSD’s Earth Day Cleanup in early April—there is no effort too small to make a difference.
After all, this year’s Coastal Cleanup certainly proved that we are all bigger than we think!
Did you know that most of the debris found on our local waterways and coastal beaches actually start as litter on streets? It is carried into waterways and eventually out to the ocean. That’s why Coastal Cleanup is a very important event, where children and adults come together to rid our creeks of bottles, plastic bags, newspapers, aluminum cans, tires, shopping carts and countless other items that have been thoughtlessly strewn along the local waterways.
PARTICIPATION IS EASY AS 1-2-3
Select and sign up for your cleanup site:
The District is sponsoring a total of 17 cleanup sites in Fairfield, Suisun City and Suisun Marsh. The Lower Dan Wilson Creek was cleaned last Saturday, September 16, thank you scouts! The remaining 15 sites are scheduled to be cleaned this Saturday, September 23.
Although volunteers can just show up at their cleanup site, online registration will assist us with volunteer coordination, distribution of supplies, and streamline onsite registration, see quick links on this page.
See Coastal Cleanup Dashboard below for site information and progress of volunteer signups. Food for thought, if one of the sites appear to need more attention, please feel free to sign up for that particular site so we can spread resources more evenly.
Fill out a waiver form:
All volunteers must sign and turn in the form prior to participating in the cleanup. Minors must have a waiver form signed by a parent or legal guardian. For Suisun City Waterfront kayak and standup paddleboard volunteers, you will need to sign and additional waiver provided by Grizzly Waters Kayaking at the site the day of the event.
Access the waiver forms via QR codes below or download/print to bring with you to the cleanup site.
Waiver in English
Waiver in Spanish
Prepare for the event:
- BYO – bring your own supplies. Although supplies will be available at the cleanup site, feel free to bring your own garden gloves or disposable gloves, wagon to help haul trash back to the site, buckets, trash pickers, water, bug repellant, sunscreen and other preferred items.
- Recommended attire for sites with heavy brush: closed-toe shoes, long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- Bring your signed waiver form! This saves time in checking in at the site.
COME JOIN US!
STAY SAFE!
OTHER USEFUL LINKS AND DOWNLOADS
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT?
Yes there is!! The Ocean Conservancy developed an application, called Clean Swell, to make it more convenient for volunteers to log in their findings. Just download the app to your mobile device, create an account, and with your location services turned ON, start collecting! To learn more about the app, click here.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON CLEANUP DAY
The site captain will meet you at the site to collect your signed waiver form and provide instructions for a safe and fun time. Then about 11:30am, volunteers return to the meet up location to finalize totals. Upon request, scout badges and/or service certificates will be handed out.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Pictures are encouraged during the cleanup! Use hashtags /keywords #2023cleanup, #coastalcleanupday, set your device setting for location services ON, post to Flickr, Twitter, or YouTube; and they will be readily posted on FSSD’s Cleanup Sites and Social Media page. If preferred, you may email us your pictures or videos at contactus@fairfieldsuisunsewer.ca.gov with your cleanup site.
Coastal Cleanup Dashboard
