NOAA California Sea Grant

Community Behavior
Research Project

Bridging Science and Community

Waste Audits, Public Perception, and Coastal Sustainability

Cleaner California Coast is excited to announce the launch of a new research initiative funded by the NOAA California Sea Grant Cultivate Award and conducted in partnership with Leave No Trace and researchers from Penn State University.

Over the coming year, our team will work with community organizations and event hosts across Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties to better understand how people make decisions about waste disposal at community events and coastal recreation sites.

By learning more about how visitors interact with landfill, recycling, and compost systems, and what information helps them make informed choices, we hope to develop practical, evidence-based approaches that reduce waste, prevent litter, and support healthier coastal environments.

Where to find us this season

  • Coastal Cleanup Day

    Saturday, September 19, 2026 · 9 AM – 2 PM

    We’re bringing coastal stewardship upstream this Coastal Cleanup Day. Join us at Toby's Feed Barn in Point Reyes Station for the first of nine NOAA Sea Grant research events exploring how education, infrastructure, and community engagement can improve recycling, composting, and waste prevention before waste reaches our coast and ocean.

    Stop by, take part in the research, and help build a cleaner California coast!

    Learn more here.

  • North Coast KelpFest

    October 9–12, 2026

    Cleaner California Coast will be part of this year's North Coast KelpFest at Big River Park in Mendocino County. Full details on location, hours, and how to get involved are coming soon.

    Check back here or follow Cleaner California Coast for updates.

  • Whale Festival

    March 7th, 2027

    Cleaner California Coast will be part of this year's Whale Festival in Mendocino County. Full details on location, hours, and how to get involved are coming soon.

    Check back here or follow Cleaner California Coast for updates.

  • Bodega Bay Fishermans Festival

    May 2nd and 3rd, 2027

    Cleaner California Coast will be part of this year's Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival in Sonoma County. Full details on location, hours, and how to get involved are coming soon.

    Check back here or follow Cleaner California Coast for updates.

What You May See at Events

If you attend a participating community event, you may notice members of our research team on site. Activities may include:

  • Inviting visitors to take part in a brief, voluntary survey.

  • Observing how waste, recycling, and compost stations are used.

  • Sharing educational information about responsible waste disposal and Leave No Trace principles.

  • Collecting anonymous data to help improve future community outreach and environmental education.

Participation in surveys is entirely voluntary, and all research activities are designed to fit seamlessly into each event while respecting the experience of attendees.

Why This Research Matters

Community events are an important opportunity to learn how people make everyday decisions about managing waste. Understanding these behaviors helps organizations design better education programs, improve waste management systems, and support cleaner parks, beaches, and public spaces.

The knowledge gained through this project will contribute to regional and national efforts to reduce litter, improve waste diversion, and strengthen stewardship of California's coastal communities.

Stay Connected

Throughout the project, we will share updates, stories from participating events, and key findings as the research progresses.

We look forward to working with community partners and event organizers across the region and thank everyone who contributes to creating cleaner, healthier coastal communities.