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Coastal clean-up Sept. 17

Three hours to help local creeks

Students, teachers, parents and volunteers of all ages will join with representatives of the Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC), Sonoma County Regional Parks and Whole Foods Market, Sonoma, along with an estimated 150 volunteers from the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, to celebrate Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Sonoma clean-up sites include: Maxwell Farms Regional Park and Nathanson and Fryer Creeks to benefit chinook salmon and steelhead trout.

In 2010, more than 82,500 volunteers removed more than 1.2 million pounds of trash and recyclables from California beaches, lakes and waterways. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by Ocean Conservancy and taking place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events in the world.

“SEC is thrilled to be working with the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Whole Foods Market, Sonoma, Sonoma County Regional Parks, Maxwell Farms Regional Park Stewardship, Fryer Creek Stewardship, Nathanson Creek Stewardship and other partners,” said Jessica Glatt, education and outreach program manager. “The effort of volunteers to remove garbage and other debris locally, before it washes downstream to the San Pablo Bay and Pacific Ocean, illustrates how creek cleanups are vital to preserving our planet’s resources. I can’t think of a better example of how residents can make a difference in the Pacific Ocean by donating just three hours in Sonoma.”

“Over a century ago, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was founded on an enduring connection to the land, communities and people where we do business, “ said Kelly Cosgrove, general manager of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. “Energizing our commitment to ‘think globally and act locally,’ we are proud to support hotel-based environmental initiatives that encourage partnerships and learning while addressing a universal environmental issue in a way that hits close to home.”

Volunteers should meet at the parking lot at Maxwell Farms Regional Park, Nathanson Creek behind Adele Harrison Middle School and Sonoma Valley High School and at Sassarini Elementary School along Fryer Creek. Morning refreshments provided by the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, and volunteer lunches provided by Whole Foods Market, Sonoma, will be available at the Maxwell Park clean-up site.
Volunteers should wear layered, comfortable clothing. Conditions may include getting clothes dirty and wet feet. Volunteers should bring their own water bottles. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For questions about clean-up sites and/or to RSVP for a group of 10 or more, contact Jessica Glatt at Sonoma Ecology Center, 996-0712, ext. 110, or email jessica@sonomaecologycenter.org.