Have you heard of the Ocean Conservancy’s beach cleanups? Every September, thousands of volunteers join this huge effort to clean up their local beaches. And over 30 years, this effort has collected over 300 million pounds of trash.
Our Southern California coastlines are spectacular, and keeping them clean is the only way to ensure our beaches will be around to enjoy for many years. We can all do our part. Every summer, members of AMC and their families join together to pick up trash and help keep our local beaches clean. While this year’s cleanup event on July 25 may look a little different because of COVID-19 restrictions, we can still make small efforts that lead to big results for our beautiful beaches and parks.
The Benefits of Keeping Beaches and Parks Clean
Cleaning up beaches and parks is satisfying, helps wildlife and the economy, and is a good activity for a healthy lifestyle.
“There is satisfaction to say, ‘I removed ten pounds of trash from my beach,’” says Kara Lavender Law, a research oceanography professor. “Even if it’s only ten pounds, that’s ten pounds that isn’t going to go into the open ocean.”
In addition to protecting wildlife, “clean beaches provide economic benefit to local communities in the form of tourism dollars,” says Laura Parker at National Geographic. “In southern California, researchers calculated that in Orange County alone that potential could translate into $46 million in just one summer.” Whether you head to Sunset Beach or take a trip to Aliso Beach, you’re making the world a more beautiful and prosperous place.
How to Keep Safe
With COVID-19 guidelines still in place, your cleanup crew might be small this year, with just your roommates or immediate family members lending a hand. If you’re inviting friends or extended family to join you in your cleanup, follow this CDC advice: “When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.” And in keeping with California’s mask mandate, wear your mask “when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.”
Cleaning up beaches and parks really makes a difference and is a fun and memorable summer activity. So join us for our beach and park cleanup effort on July 25 or anytime during the month of July! Tag Pacific Palms Apartment Homes in your photos and use the hashtags #AMCcleanup and #livehappy. We can’t wait to see the difference you are making!