LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District is partnering with the City of Newport Beach to host the district’s third annual cleanup event in honor of National Public Lands Day.
The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at the Santa Ana River Marsh, 5904 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Registration is from 7 to 8 a.m. The public is invited to participate. Volunteers will be removing trash from the 92-acre saltwater marsh area.
Those planning to volunteer should be 18 years or older or be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, sunscreen and a hat. All volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes during the event. Parking will be at 5904 W. Coast Highway.
National Public Lands Day is the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. During the event, thousands of volunteers across the nation come out to show their support at more than 70 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' projects.
Volunteers complete activities, such as tree planting, erosion control, bank stabilization, building trails, restoring recreation areas, trash pickup, removing invasive species and non-native plants, improving wildlife habitats, harvesting prairie plant seeds and rehabilitating playgrounds.
“We want community members to develop a sense of ownership of the lands, so they continue to keep the lands pristine far after this event,” said Nick Figueroa, park ranger with the Corps’ Los Angeles District. “By hosting it at the Santa Ana River Marsh, they can see exactly what animals they are protecting and learn about the educational services available to them.”
This year’s event coincides with California’s annual Coastal Cleanup Day.
ABOUT NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day volunteer event for America’s public lands. Established in 1994, it occurs annually on the fourth Saturday in September. Its purpose is to celebrate the connection between people and green space in their community, inspire environmental stewardship and encourage use of open space for education, recreation and general health, according to the National Parks Service website.
It is organized annually by the National Environmental Education Foundation in cooperation with the departments of Interior, Army and Agriculture. Participating agencies include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service.