WE ALL BENEFIT FROM A CLEANER CALIFORNIA COAST
Create a Cleaner &
Healthier California
Coast By Practicing
Leave No Trace
There is no place on Earth like the Northern California Coast. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, you will experience something incredible.
What you may not realize is that you play a crucial role in protecting this unique place. Our visits to coastal areas often bring with them single-use trash items, which accumulate rapidly. Each year, tens of thousands of pounds of litter are left behind on the California coastline, causing significant ecological damage.
By practicing Leave No Trace, we all benefit from:
Healthier coastal ecosystems and wildlife
Vibrant wildlife on land and sea
More enjoyable outdoor spaces for everyone to share
The Cleaner California Coast-Leave No Trace Initiative is in partnership with Marin County Parks, Sonoma County Regional Parks, Sonoma County Tourism, Visit Mendocino, California State Parks, the National Park Service, federally and non-federally recognized tribes, Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin.
Practicing Leave No Trace in Coastal Communities
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Repackaging your food and drinks into reusable containers is an easy way to cut down on litter before you even reach the coastline.
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Choosing reusable or compostable options over plastic and styrofoam helps protect marine life and keeps these materials out of our coastal ecosystems for good.
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Mapping out restroom stops ahead of time makes for a smoother trip — some coastal towns and rural areas have limited facilities, so a little planning goes a long way.
Know Before You Go
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Putting litter in a trash can is one of the simplest ways to protect wildlife and keep the coast healthy. Every piece of trash contained is one less piece that can reach the ecosystem — a small habit that makes a real difference.
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When cans are full, packing out your trash keeps it from blowing or washing into the environment. Taking it home with you means it gets disposed of properly, and you're helping keep the coast clean for the next visitor too.
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Disposing of fishing line, tackle, and cigarette butts in the right receptacle protects birds, aquatic animals, and water quality. Look for receptacles designed for these items.
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Picking up litter — even litter that isn't yours — is a great way to give back to the coastal communities and ecosystems you're enjoying.
And when you recycle, you're helping valuable materials get a second life instead of ending up in a landfill.
Check the signage on bins if you're ever unsure what goes where.
Trash Your Trash
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Using a public restroom keeps trails and beaches clean and sanitary for everyone.
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Bringing a diaper to the nearest trash can — or packing it out if none are available — helps keep the coast clean and protected.
A little planning ahead makes it easy to Leave No Trace, even with little ones in tow.
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Bagging up pet waste and placing it in a trash can helps keep the natural environment healthy for all the wildlife that calls it home.
What To Do With Poop
Be Considerate of Coastal Communities
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Taking your trash home with you — especially when park cans are full — is a great way to support the coastal communities that welcome visitors every day.
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Using a public restroom when you see one helps keep drinking water sources clean for everyone in the community.
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Keeping noise low and being mindful of those around you helps create a peaceful experience for everyone seeking nature's quiet.
Want To Learn More?
Take the free Leave No Trace 101 Course to gain the foundational skills and concepts that protect any ecosystem, including the coast.
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Teach
Spread The Word
In-person and digital spaces are effective ways to reach visitors. Download bilingual Media Assets and share how to Leave No Trace along the coast!
Join Us In Person
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Cleaner Coast Social Media
@cleanercaliforniacoast
Explore The Counties
Want to learn more? Look at some resources and programs happening across partners in Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino Counties.
It Takes a Village
Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties and the Leave No Trace organization have launched this coordinated campaign to provide visitor education and outreach to reduce the negative visitation impacts in coastal environments and communities across the three counties.
Partners
