Join the drive to save the coast

alling all Californians: CLEAN UP YOUR ACT! Join the California Coastal Commission's Adopt-A-Beach Program, I Love a Clean San Diego, and thousands of volunteers for the 11th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. On Saturday, September 23, 1995 you can take individual action by combing our beaches, parks, rivers, streams, highways and neighborhoods for trash and recyclables.
The beauty and health of the California coast is threatened daily by pollution. For the fifth consecutive year, cigarette butts topped California's "Dirty Dozen" list, the twelve items most frequently found in beach trash. Cigarette butts made up more than 28 percent of the debris found on our beaches. In fact, 313,406 butts were picked up by volunteers during the 1994 annual Coastal Cleanup Day!
Now you - a concerned Californian - can do your part. Volunteer for the largest beach cleanup in the world on Saturday, September 23, 1995, on your favorite California beach. It's easy: just call 1-800-COAST-4U. In San Diego, call I Love A Clean San Diego at 467-0903 or 1-800-237-2583. Anyone can join in. Bring your family, friends and co-workers.
Last year, cleanup activities included the expansion of our underwater dive cleanups. Divers see first-hand the damage caused by marine debris underwater: hard and soft corals wrapped in line or smothered by plastic garbage bags, and beautiful fans and sponges trying to survive while being torn apart by steel fishing leader. Divers also encounter floating trash on their way to and from dive sites. Further, many divers have witnessed the devastating effects of ghost nets and traps that continue to kill marine life. This year we are encouraging divers to again join us in our cleanup efforts!

Blue plate special

If you can't help us out on September 23, you can still join the drive to save the coast. California drivers now have the opportunity to make a difference too! The newly created California Coastal Protection License Plate has been developed as an innovative fundraising mechanism that encourages direct public support and involvement in the coastal protection, restoration and enhancement programs of the State Coastal Conservancy and the California Coastal Commission.
The Coastal Protection Plate features a beautiful painting of a whale's tale by the prominent environmental artist Wyland. It is an official license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for vehicles registered in California. The plate costs $50 over the usual registration fee for the first year and $40 for annual renewal. After costs are met, half the funds will go to coastal protection and restoration programs, and the remainder toward the California Environmental License Plate Fund for projects throughout the state.
Proceeds from the plate will benefit ongoing public access programs and habitat restoration projects. Funds will also underwrite the Coastal Commission's Adopt-A-Beach Program and the annual Coastal Cleanup Day now recognized by Guinness as the largest in the world. In 1994, more than 42,000 volunteers participated in the Cleanup and cleared over 550,000 pounds of trash off our beaches in just one day.