Up a creek with bucket, trash bag

Volunteers will clean four Sonoma Valley waterway sites Saturday as part of the 27th annual California Coastal Clean Up Day.

Some 150 local volunteers will take part on what is currently recognized as the world’s largest volunteer event, a statewide effort to clean up local waterways and beaches.

The outing is September 17 from 9 a.m. to noon.

It began as a way to help reduce waste and pollution, conserve water and other resources, and inspire people to become active in their community.

The goal locally, said Jessica Glatt of the Sonoma Ecology Center, is to clean up creeks and streams to help keep the environment free of trash and other pollutants that have a negative impact on the health of Sonoma Creek.

“We also want to remind our community that these actions go beyond our valley,” she said, as “our creek flows to San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.”

There’s no better way to spend a Saturday than to be outdoors taking part in an international effort to clean up your community, Glatt said. “Gather up your family and friends and join us.”

Food and beverages will be provided at each site, thanks to Synergy Dental Group, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and Whole Foods. The local effort is a collaboration between the Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma County Regional Parks, and the City of Sonoma.

Volunteers can just show up at one of the sites. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For questions or to RSVP for a group of 10 or more, contact Glatt at 996.0712 x 110 or [email protected].