Novato Coastal Cleanup Planned

Environmentally-minded volunteers will gather in Novato next week in part of a statewide effort to clean up California's waterways.

The annual California Coastal Cleanup will be held on Sept. 21. The 9 a.m. to noon event is sponsored by the Marin Conservation League.

A free barbecue at the Bay Model in Sausalito will be open to all volunteers after the cleanup.

Volunteers will meet at the meet at the Gazebo at Scottsdale Pond on Redwood Boulevard (south of Rowland Way). Pre-registration isn't required but all participants must sign a waiver form.

Participants should bring heavy-duty gloves (such as gardening gloves) and wear work cloths and study shoes they won't mind getting wet. They're also encouraged to bring water and sunscreen.

Volunteers will split into groups of four to six, targeting Novato and Warner creeks.

The timing of the cleanup is critical in preventing winter rains from wash trash from creeks and rivers into the San Francisco Bay, organizer Susan Stompe said.

The event typically attracts families, friends, coworkers, scout troops, school groups, service clubs, and individuals who gather each year to do their part to preserve California's treasured coast and waterways.

The California Coastal Cleanup is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, an event run by the Ocean Conservancy that organizers say is the world's largest volunteer event.

For more information contact Susan Stompe at (415) 897-1610 or ssstompe@aol.com.