The City of Oakland Public Works Agency thanks all the volunteers for helped make Oakland's 18th annual Creek to Bay Day a success! Creek to Bay Day is part of California and International Coastal Cleanup Day, which engages thousands of volunteers in trash removal and beautification of waterways and shorelines across California, the nation, and in about 100 participating countries. Volunteers in Oakland joined these efforts by acting locally to clean trash from and beautify Lake Merritt, the Oakland Estuary and 33 creek locations on Saturday, September 21.
More than 1,000 volunteers removed trash and invasive weeds, and planted and restored wild habitat along Oakland's creeks and bay shoreline. Volunteers in kayaks participated for the first time this year removing trash from San Francisco Bay, preventing this trash from going out to sea. While results are still coming in, volunteers in Oakland collected over 15,000 pounds of trash and 150 cubic yards of compostable green waste. Creek to Bay Day is held in conjunction with International Coastal Cleanup Day and is sponsored by the California Coastal Commission. By current count, the statewide event turned out 51,543 volunteers who removed 471,218 pounds of trash and 30,530 pounds of recyclables!
Unusual early-season rains did not damper the spirit of the volunteers in Oakland, many of whom had prepared to get their feet wet. The rains were an auspicious sign and a helpful boost of water to newly-planted native species. The rains also helped highlight the importance of clean watersheds and waterways: as stormwater collects in street drains, it flows into the creeks and/or directly into the Bay, carrying trash and debris in its path. Keeping trash out of our streets and creeks keep our waterways flowing and clean, preventing flooding, pollution, and trash from harming wildlife, blighting our beaches, and impairing our access to clean and safe water.
Many deserve special recognition for helping to make Creek to Bay Day 2013 our most successful to date. Creek to Bay Day would not be possible without the dedication of community site coordinators and supporting organization who helped coordinate projects at 36 locations, the highest number of Creek to Bay Day sites in the history of the event. The support from Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the East Bay Regional Park District, the Port of Oakland, and Waste Management year after year is also integral to the success of the event.
Oakland hosts opportunities throughout the year for citizens and community groups to care for our creeks and waterways. Visit our Adopt a Spot website at www.oaklandadoptaspot.org, email adoptaspot@oaklandnet.com, or call (510) 238-7630 for more information on how you can help! You can also stay connected and up to date by following the Sustainable Oakland Facebook page.
Article source: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/o/FE/s/ID/OAK024743
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