We had an interesting and successful MLK Jr Day of service this past weekend.  We had planned to host our yearly event Saturday morning, but for the first time in 25 years of Pacific Beach Coalition history, a Tsunami advisory forced us to reschedule events. Thankfully many of our volunteers could join us at the postponed event on Sunday.

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At the MLK Day of Service beach cleanup we had 42 volunteers join site Captains Jim, Ana and Naturalist Julie. Our amazing volunteers collected 52 lbs of trash, 10 lbs of recycling, and over 700 cigarette butts! 

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At our Habitat Restoration event at Linda Mar, we had 45 volunteers and planted over 700 plants; 400 plants on the dunes and 300 along the trail.  For months the small plants have been nursed by our volunteers or volunteers with the Pacifica Gardens and on this special day we introduce them to their new habitat. Native dune plants increase biodiversity, feed native insects, reptiles and birds and protect the wintering habitat of the endangered Western snowy plover and other wildlife.  It was so awesome to see volunteers of all ages.

The National Service Day was first established in 2009 by President Barack Obama to invigorate community volunteering. So every year during the Martin Luther King Jr weekend, we organize the biggest planting event of the year! The beach planting, started 25 years ago by Pacifica’s Environmental Family and Pacific Beach Coalition, has transformed what was once a monoculture of iceplant into a thriving coastal dune habitat supporting and growing the endangered Western Snowy Plover population.  Over the past 10 years, the restoration and beach planting has  extended up to the coastal trail and the slope to Hwy 1.  Over 25,000 plants have been installed over the years and the day’s activities have grown to include mulching, weeding and any project that improves the habitat.

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Thank you so much to all the volunteers and site captains for making this incredible day possible!

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We appreciate everyone who supports Pacific Beach Coalition’s work and educational programs. Thank you for helping us to protect our beautiful ocean and coastline by donating money, time or both! Your dollars will go towards our ongoing educational efforts (such as the Naturalists program) and our beach cleanups and habitat restoration efforts along the coastal trail. Thank you so much for any contribution, big or small!