I Love A Clean San Diego’s Coastal Cleanup Day 2017 supported more than 100 cleanup and beautification sites in San Diego County.

Preliminary counts from ILACSD indicated more than 7,500 volunteers removed more than 150,000 pounds of debris and recyclables.

Among the many cleanup projects throughout San Diego were nine that took place in City Heights. Dennis Wood, a volunteer from the area, was a team leader for more than 30 volunteers at Cooper Canyon, including more than 20 from Access Youth Academy.

Wood posted on Facebook that the volunteers removed a half-ton of trash and recycling, and various invasive plants like Russian Thistle, Castor Bean and Arundo Donax, all of which are extremely flammable and choke out native and canyon-friendly plants. His team removed items dumped into the canyon, graffiti was painted out, and sidewalks and gutters swept clean.

“We are grateful for all the volunteers and site captains who work hard to keep litter and debris from harming our watershed and waterways. We are happy to support I Love A Clean San Diego as they support Mother Earth throughout the year with events and educational opportunities throughout the County,” Wood wrote.

The San Diego Water Authority participated with hundreds of volunteers at Golden Hill Park. From planting trees to stenciling storm drains, painting murals and picking up trash, volunteers participated in various beautification projects at the park. In addition, students from the California State University – San Marcos Environment Club and Ocean Conservation Club cleaned the Escondido Creek as part of Coastal Clean Up Day.

ILACSD thanks event sponsors San Diego Gas & Electric, Wells Fargo, Think Blue San Diego, City of San Diego, County of San Diego Parks and Recreation, and many more for making the day possible! ILACSD’s media partner CBS 8 – San Diego News, provided the following coverage of the day’s event.