San Mateo residents can sign up to clear litter from the bayfront on Saturday, Sept. 19, when the city holds Coastal Cleanup Day at Seal Point Park.

The free event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at 1901 J. Hart Clinton Dr. Volunteers can register at cityofsanmateo.org/CCD.

The cleanup falls under the city's Team Up To Clean Up program, which brings residents and neighborhoods together to eliminate litter in streets, storm drains, parks and waterways. The city encouraged volunteers in a Sept. 16 social media post to bring gloves and friends to help protect San Mateo's coast and wildlife.

San Mateo's event is one of hundreds across the state tied to California Coastal Cleanup Day, organized by the California Coastal Commission since 1985. In that first year, about 2,500 Californians took part. Since 1985, more than 1.6 million volunteers have removed over 26 million pounds of trash from beaches and inland waterways statewide.

In 2023, nearly 46,000 volunteers removed more than 376,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from California's beaches, lakes and waterways, according to the National Park Service.

This year's statewide cleanup also marks the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act, the landmark legislation that established protections for the state's shoreline. San Mateo County Health promoted the event on Sept. 16, calling on county residents to help remove litter from beaches, parks, creeks and neighborhoods.

Volunteers with questions can email the Team Up To Clean Up crew at [email protected].