Thousands of San Diego residents unite for annual beach and river cleanup

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Hundreds of San Diegans rolled up their sleeves Saturday morning to take part in International Coastal Cleanup Day, joining a global movement to protect the world’s oceans.

More than 100 cleanup sites were organized across the county as part of the 41st annual event hosted by "I Love A Clean San Diego." Executive Director Steve Morris said the group mobilized nearly 4,000 volunteers at beaches, rivers, parks and canyons.

“Eighty percent of what ends up in the ocean starts inland,” Morris said. “Follow the San Diego River, follow the watersheds in places like Ramona, and that trash can actually end up in the Pacific Ocean.”

Volunteers included families, students and local leaders. Mayor Todd Gloria said the event has become a tradition.

“Coastal Cleanup Day is an opportunity for us to make sure that our beaches, our bays, our rivers are clean and healthy,” Gloria said. “That’s why we have been doing it for 41 years.”

The effort is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, which spans more than 100 countries worldwide. Since 1985, San Diego volunteers have removed more than 5 million pounds of debris.

This year’s kickoff at Robb Field focused on one of the region’s biggest litter hot spots, an area impacted by illegal dumping and its proximity to the San Diego River. Organizers say the goal goes beyond beautification, it’s about protecting waterways and marine life.

Volunteer Michael Devicariis, who participated with his family, said the tradition has become a way to instill community values in his children.

“We do at least two or three cleanups every year,” Devicariis said. “During our first one a while back, we pulled our kids into it to show them community service is important.”