STOCKTON, CA - On Saturday September 20th, more than 350 volunteers joined San Joaquin County's 26th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day, removing an estimated 5,700 pounds of trash and debris within and adjacent to more than 15 miles of waterways. Some even launched kayaks to reach areas beneath the Calaveras River Bridge, ensuring that every corner received attention.

Cleanup sites included Lodi Lake, Buckley Cove, American Legion Park, the Calaveras Bridge at Pacific Avenue, and Edgar Thoming Park in Tracy. Participants represented high schools from across the County, Girl Scout troops, college clubs, and local sports teams—making this year's cleanup a true Countywide effort.

“Coastal Cleanup Day shows what makes San Joaquin County so special—neighbors of all ages coming together to protect and improve the places we all share,” said San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair, Paul Canepa. “The fact that more than 350 volunteers gave their Saturday to collect thousands of pounds of trash is a powerful reminder that small actions, when multiplied across a community, can make a big difference. I'm proud of the teamwork and commitment we see year after year, and I look forward to building on this momentum.”

Adding a playful twist, this year's theme was “The World's First Trashure Hunt.” At each site, a blue treasure chest was hidden, rewarding lucky volunteers who discovered it with a gift card prize.

Organizers noted that several sites appeared cleaner than in past years—an encouraging sign that ongoing cleanup efforts are having a lasting impact. Looking ahead, future events may expand to new locations to build on this progress.

Volunteers were treated to giveaways and refreshments thanks to the generous support of Bass Pro Shops, Condor Earth Technologies, KSN Consultant Group, Compliance First, and R&F Engineering. The event was made possible through partnerships with the City of Stockton, City of Tracy, City of Lodi, the Sierra Club at University of the Pacific, Restore the Delta, and the Port of Stockton. Niagara Water donated bottled water for participants, and Republic Services provided dumpsters to collect waste.

“Our waterways and parks are cleaner today thanks to the dedication of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves—and in some cases launched kayaks—to make sure nothing was left behind,” said San Joaquin County Public Works Department Director, Fritz Buchman. “It's encouraging to see sites looking better each year, which tells us these cleanups are working. We are grateful to our community partners and sponsors for supporting this effort, and we're excited to explore ways to grow Coastal Cleanup Day in the future.”

For more information about next year's Coastal Cleanup Day, which typically occurs on the third Saturday in September, please contact San Joaquin County Public Works - Water Resources at (209) 468-3089 or visit www.sjwater.org. Statewide details are available at www.coastal.ca.gov.

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