Name: Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay
Start: 2025-09-20T09:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-09-20T12:00:00-07:00
Location: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay

Lets tackle the tons of trash and debris that has built up in the Bay!
About this Event

Everyone will not start at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for this event.

*IMPORTANT* volunteers will meet directly at a dozen different mini-cleanup day sites around the 11-mile bay including the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, Newport Aquatic Center, Big Canyon, Vista Point, Jamboree Bridge, etc. Commit and register to attend early to help us coordinate everyone.

For a full list of all coastal cleanup day sites lead organizations and cleanup locations across the state, visit the .

ABOUT COASTAL CLEANUP DAY AT THE BAY

Each September, over 1,000 people—including families, friends, co-workers, scouts and school groups—come from all over Orange County to volunteer their time at Upper Newport Bay. With more rain this year bringing more trash into the Bay from our surrounding watershed, we are gearing up for a much needed deep cleaning of the Bay. Our goal is to remove over 10,000 pounds of trash! We are continuing to experience a new wave of waste from the increased use of single use plastics, disposable masks, and gloves since the start of the pandemic. These items and others risk harming wildlife, pollute our waterways, and threaten public health and your support is crucial to our mission.

Around 1,000 volunteers are needed to help remove trash from the uplands and marsh areas of the Bay and participate in invasive plant removal. Volunteers will meet directly at a dozen different mini-cleanup day sites around the 11-mile bay including the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, Newport Aquatic Center, Big Canyon, Vista Point, Jamboree Bridge, etc. Exact meeting location will be announced and sent to everyone (group leaders) prior to 9/19.

HAVE A GROUP THAT IS ALREADY TOGETHER?

That helps. Let us know a little more about your group to make the greatest impact that day. There will be bus/shuttles to other areas of the Bay where parking or direct access isn't available and more accessible options for groups with families.

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING:

Everyone should wear old clothes and close-toed shoes because you will get dirty. Feel free to bring your own reusable gloves and trash bag or bucket. It also helps if you have tall/rubber boots or water shoes so you can get into the mud and reach those hard to get pieces that may be not as accessible when wearing regular sneakers. Bring a reusable/refillable water bottle so we can reduce our plastic use. Everyone welcome to lend a hand, although minors need guardian permission and adult volunteers present (ages 6 and up may participate). Although we love dogs, please leave your furry friends home. Commemorative t-shirts will be given away to everyone helping us out that morning.

SUPPORT APPRECIATED: It takes a small army of staff, trained volunteers and supplies to mobilize 1,000 people for the day. Thank you to all our supporters below who has made Cleanup Day possible. Individuals are able to make a personal contribution while registering to support the day as well.

Major sponsors
Event Photos