Preserving Paradise: A Look at the Catalina Cleanup with Tidy Seas
- Alison Walsh
- Aug 28, 2024
- 3 min read
August 28th, 2024
AVALON, CATALINA ISLAND
A couple weeks ago, I had the honor to document the work that Tidy Seas is leading to keep our oceans clean, specifically, the Santa Barbara channel and Channel Islands. I took a ferry to Catalina Island for an island cleanup where I met an incredible community, driven to protect and preserve the island’s natural beauty. Hosted by Tidy Seas, a passionate non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation, and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, the cleanup event saw a remarkable turnout of volunteers, including club members and island locals, all eager to make a difference.
THE CAUSE
The Santa Barbara Channel is a sanctuary for marine life, such as grey and blue whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and more, with the one of the highest levels of biodiversity. The channel is home to 8 islands, known as the Channel Islands. The most popular island, Santa Catalina, hosts the village of Avalon, resembling cities on the Amalfi Coast or French Riviera. This top-destination for tourists brings a lot of traffic to the area, with approximately 530,000 visitors a day and over 1 million visitors per year (Love Catalina Island).
High tourism areas face the ongoing problem of plastic pollution, and so the island has to protect the environment and ocean life from this pollution finding its way into water.
A UNIFIED EFFORT
Early in the morning on a Monday, Avalon’s residents and members of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club gathered at the harbor, ready to take action. Armed with gloves, trash bags, and a commitment to the cause, volunteers spread out along the shoreline and nearby areas, picking up litter and debris that had washed ashore or been carelessly discarded.
It was a powerful sight to see so many people, young and old, coming together for a common purpose—to keep Catalina Island and its surrounding waters pristine.
One volunteer, a yacht club member who has been sailing around the island for years, shared her thoughts, "I’m proud to be here and to contribute in any way I can to keep the island clean."
GIVING BACK
The cleanup event was more than just an opportunity to pick up trash; it was a celebration of community spirit and environmental stewardship. Tidy Seas operates on a donation-basis, which will directly support their ongoing efforts to protect marine environments. To encourage donations, they organized a raffle giveaway, with prizes generously donated by local businesses. Items such as restaurant gift certificates, handcrafted tequila, and unique island experiences were up for grabs, adding an element of excitement to the morning.
Locals were just as enthusiastic about supporting the cause. “Supporting this cleanup event is our way of giving back and making sure that our island remains a paradise."
MAKING AN IMPACT
To date, Tidy Seas has removed 44,656 pounds of trash and debris. Items ranging from plastic bottles and fishing line were all properly disposed of, preventing them from causing harm to Catalina's ecosystem.
The cleanup was a huge success thanks to the commitment of both Tidy Seas and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. The funds raised from the raffle will help Tidy Seas continue their vital work, ensuring that events like these can happen more frequently and reach more areas in need in the Santa Barbara area and beyond.
LOOKING AHEAD
Every piece of trash collected, every donation made, and every volunteer hour contributed adds up to a significant positive impact on our environment.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that the work doesn’t stop here. Tidy Seas has some upcoming events, and they are calling on everyone who cares about our oceans and islands to join in. Whether you’re a local, a frequent visitor, or someone passionate about ocean conservation, there are many ways to get involved and support these vital efforts. I urge you to help protect our oceans by donating what you can to Tidy Seas' mission or attend a cleanup if you are local to the Southern California area. Summer cleanups extend through September - don't miss this awesome opportunity to get involved!
Together, we can ensure that the Channel Islands and our oceans remain beautiful, clean, and thriving for generations to come. Thank you to all who participated, donated, and supported this wonderful event.
Let’s continue to make waves for positive change!
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