Winter 2025 Quarterly Update

Welcome to the First Edition of the Cleaner California Coast Newsletter!

We are launching the Cleaner California Coast newsletter to share key information about the Cleaner California Coast-Leave No Trace (LNT) Initiative and provide you with a snapshot of how we are building a collaborative network of partners across Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino Counties.

With over 10 million visitors each year, the California coastline in Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino counties is a favorite destination. The Cleaner California Coast Initiative is here to raise awareness of the challenges that come with such demand by promoting responsible recreation and supporting an emerging coastal ethic. Through education, advocacy, and community empowerment, our mission is to combat pollution, preserve the coastline's beauty, and engage everyone—locals and visitors alike—to help protect and steward these finite and precious natural resources.

We look forward to strengthening and expanding partnerships in the coming months.

Explore What We Offer

Our initiative empowers communities with conservation-centered information, resources, and activations to protect and preserve our coastal environments. Dive into these resources and take the first step in making a difference with the Cleaner California Coast Initiative.

Partner Success Stories

Each county involved in the Cleaner California Coast Initiative has dedicated visitor-facing organizations, County Park partners, and land managers working together to protect and preserve the coastal environment.

Sonoma County's Leave No Trace Coalition

The Cleaner California Coast Initiative is an extension of Sonoma County’s Leave No Trace Coalition, which educates visitors on how to minimize their impacts when enjoying Sonoma County parks and open spaces. Community partners are critical in this work.

Click here to join the Sonoma County coalition by downloading the free toolkit or taking a free online Leave No Trace course. Course modules are available for both the hospitality industry and visitor center staff. Learn more about coalition leaders Sonoma County Regional Parks and Sonoma County Tourism. Read more about the Coalition’s inception.

Marin County's Commitment to Sustainability

In Marin County, SB 1383 and the Reusable Foodware Ordinance inform the Cleaner California Coast by reducing waste and promoting reuse and sustainability in public spaces. In 2023, California reported that over 2.9 million tons of plastic were used in single-use packaging and food-related items, comprising 171.4 billion plastic components. This substantial contribution to municipal solid waste underscores the importance of initiatives like the Cleaner California Coast, which aims to reduce plastic pollution at its source. Learn more at Zero Waste Marin, Marin County Parks, and the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mendocino County's Ocean Advocacy

Mendocino County leads in environmental stewardship through strategic partnerships, marine conservation, and regional collaboration to educate the public, combat pollution, and promote sustainability. The organizations of MendoParks, Visit Mendocino, Mendocino Land Trust, and Noyo Center for Marine Science drive ocean conservation through direct action, preserving the region's natural beauty and ecological health. The partnership with Cleaner California Coast strengthens these efforts by addressing coastal pollution through community-driven initiatives and regional collaboration.

Photo © David Matthews, Visit Mendocino County, Inc

Additionally, the Cleaner California Coast Initiative collaborates with the California State Parks, National Park Service, California Coastal C ommission, and key place-based partners in leading efforts to reduce coastal pollution and enhance stewardship across California’s coastlands in all three counties.

Share the Principles

In your messaging and communication channels, we encourage you to share the core Cleaner California Coast-Leave No Trace principles central to a regional coastal ethic. Download PDFs of our above signage in English and Spanis h and our bi lingual toolkit to help spread the word.

Know Before You Go

Bring your foods or liquids in reusable containers.
Avoid single-use plastics and styrofoam.
Plan your trip to include public restroom stops.

Trash Your Trash

Always use trash cans for litter items when available.
If trash cans are unavailable or overflowing, pack out all trash with you.
Fishing line, tackle, and cigarette butts should also be disposed of in their appropriate receptacle.
Give back. Pick up additional litter and recycle when possible.

What To Do with Poop

Use public restrooms and not trails and beaches.
Dispose of diapers into available trash cans or pack them out.
Pick up pet waste in bags and place into available trash cans.

Be Considerate of Coastal Communities

Reduce the trash burden on communities by disposing of your waste at home.
Use public restrooms to keep drinking water sources clean.
Be considerate of others you are sharing the outdoor spaces with.

You can help significantly reduce trash in the coastal zone. Join us! Learn more at cleanercoast.org.

Protecting Our Coastline:

What the Numbers Say

We are on a mission to create a cleaner and healthier California Coast.

Since 2021 we have been working to reduce human impacts in the coastal zone and increase visitor awareness and stewardship. Here is an overview of some recent accomplishments.