We’re conducting a massive cleanup event this July 25, and we’d love for you to attend! While we can’t actually get together in one place physically, because of the COVID-19 restrictions, we can get together virtually by making a difference at our own beaches and parks and then sharing them on social media.
If you’re interested in participating, then keep reading to learn how to plan your cleanup, the benefits of keeping beaches and parks clean, and how to stay safe.
How to Plan Your Cleanup
Once you’re ready to get started, you should first gather supplies. Here are just a few suggestions to put on the top of your list:
- Paper lawn and refuse bags for yard waste
- Gloves
- Reusable water bottles
- Quick-energy snacks
- Trash bags
- Brooms, dustpans, and buckets for cigarette butts and glass
- First aid kits
The Benefits of Keeping Beaches and Parks Clean
Whether you head to Yorba Regional Park or take a trip to Huntington Beach, you can make the world a more gorgeous place by picking up the refuse others left behind. Plus, it helps out wildlife and the economy. According to The Ohio State University, “In southern California’s Orange County alone, the economic benefits of beach cleanup would be $13 per resident in a three-month period if debris were reduced by 25 percent.” And if you want to burn off some of those annoying calories, picking up the trash can actually be a good workout.
How to Keep Safe
If you’re bringing friends or family members to be a part of your cleanup crew, please follow this advice from the CDC: “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.” Remember also that California still has a mask mandate in place, so make sure to 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 parks and beaches really makes a wonder of a difference and can be fun and rewarding. So make sure to put it down on your calendar and join us on July 25 (or really anytime during July). Tag the Evergreens in your social media posts, and use the hashtags #AMCcleanup and #livehappy. We can’t wait to see everything you’re doing!