Want to help out the planet? Events offer opportunities to give back for Earth Day

It’s a way to say thanks to the Earth and a chance to give back.

Several Earth Day cleanups are happening throughout Southern California, and whether you want to join a group of volunteers or do a solo cleanup, there’s ways to participate in the efforts.

While Earth Day is technically on Thursday, April 22, events are also being held this weekend and next. And virtual options are happening throughout the month that you can do at your own pace.

An added perk? The weather couldn’t be better this weekend, with temps expected to reach the upper 70s and maybe even into the 80s along the coast.

Here’s a few ways to get involved:

Save Our Beach: The Seal Beach-based nonprofit will hold two cleanups on Saturday, April 17, in honor of Earth Day.

Volunteers can meet at 1st Street, near the San Gabriel River at Long Beach’s border, as well as at the Seal Beach Pier on Ocean and Main Street.

Registration is required and garden gloves will be provided. Masks are required at the registration table. Free parking is also provided and reusable bags will also be handed out. Disinfected pickers will also be provided.

Toasting Mother Earth: Orange County Coastkeeper has partnered with Golden Road Brewery for an “Earth Month” cleanup.

The brewery has created cleanup kits that can be picked up from one of five brewery location. The cost is $10 and includes cleaning supplies, four beers from their Wolf Pack collection and Golden Road swag.

Half of the proceeds will be donated to Coastkeeper through April 23.

Fill your bag with trash you picked up in any area and return to any pub location to be entered into a raffle, which includes paddleboards, skateboards and more.

Go to coastkeeper.org to register for a kit, which can be picked up between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.

Wyland Foundation: Created by ocean artist and part-time Laguna Beach resident Wyland, the foundation is hosting several beach and waterways cleanups throughout Southern California, including Orange County and the South Bay.

People are encouraged to either join one of their organized beach cleanups or pick up trash and debris from sidewalks, gutters, storm drains or waterways near your home to stop the pollution at its source.

Beach cleanups will happen 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on April 24:

In the South Bay on the north side of the Manhattan Beach Pier at Marine Street
In Redondo Beach near Ruby Street
In Dana Point’s Doheny State Beach at the San Juan Creek near lifeguard tower 2.

Aquarium of the Pacific: The Aquarium of the Pacific will hold a virtual festival for its 21st annual Earth Day celebration.

“Everyone can help protect this ocean planet that we all depend on and call home. We hope people will learn simple things they can do to make Earth Day every day,” said Emily Yam, senior manager of education at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The aquarium will do animal meet and greets and give everyday tips on how to protect the environment. A virtual event happens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 24, check the Aquarium of the Pacific social channels or website for more programing information.

Starting on Earth Day, the aquarium is also asking the public to participate in an ongoing cleanup initiative through its newest community science program called T.R.A.S.H.

Citizen scientists can also help by taking part in its local sea turtle monitoring project to help this threatened population of green sea turtles.

More info: 562-590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org/events

Want to DIY: The California State Parks Foundation and REI teamed up to launch the virtual Earth Day Climate Action program, which is a month-long effort to “inspire California residents to complete a do-it-yourself (DIY) cleanup at their local state parks, playgrounds, neighborhood parks, or even just their own backyards.”

California residents can register online at calparks.org and receive a free Earth Day kit that can be picked up at any REI store, while supplies last.

Each Earth Day kit includes a face mask, trash bags, REI coupon, stickers and more.

Source: Orange County Register