The Watershed Brigade was formed in 2020 as a grassroots effort to clean up local watersheds. It’s a community program that provides hands-on volunteer opportunities in combination with education and advocacy initiatives that encourage collective action to address trash and marine debris pollution issues that threaten our water resources, wildlife, and the health of our communities.
1,975 Volunteers ֍ 47,487 Pounds of Trash ֍ 1,790 Cleanups
Upcoming Cleanups
July 5th Cleanup
9 am – 11 am
SB Channelkeeper and the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department are collaborating for a July 5th cleanup event!
Although a celebratory kickoff to summer, we see a lot of trash on our beaches and waterfront area following the July 4th festivities. Without additional resources to pick it up, this extra pulse of trash will end up in the ocean and hurt wildlife. Channelkeeper is pleased to partner with the City of SB Waterfront Department on July 5th to address this issue.
Join us between 9 am -11 am at one of four locations along the Santa Barbara Waterfront.
East Beach, Cabrillo Pavillion: Beach entrance at the Cabrillo West Parking Lot
East Beach, Skate Park: Beach entrance at the Palm Park Parking Lot
West Beach: Beach entrance near the Harbor Parking Lot
Leadbetter Beach: Beach entrance at the Leadbetter Parking Lot
Cleanup supplies and parking passes will be provided.
We look forward to this collaborative event, we hope you can join us!
Sign up here!
Cleanup with NatureTrack
August 23rd, 10 am
Goleta Beach
In June, Channelkeeper is collaborating with NatureTrack for a cleanup at Goleta Beach! NatureTrack will have Freedom Trax available for use at this event. Freedom Trax is a wheelchair accessory that allows access to outdoor spaces, enabling wheelchair users and others with physical disabilities to experience nature.
We hope you can join us!
Sign up here!
Help Keep Our Community Litter-Free!
Channelkeeper’s Watershed Brigade is a community of volunteers dedicated to keeping our local watersheds and beaches clean. Brigade members remove trash from trails, creeks, rivers, urban areas, and beaches, act as environmental stewards, and collect trash data used to help reduce pollution at its source. And it’s fun! Volunteers earn points that make them eligible for perks and prizes.
Beaches, creeks, trails, and rivers along the South Coast are experiencing more visitation than ever before, and a lot of trash is left behind in these fragile environments, damaging their ecosystems and polluting waterways.
We formed the Watershed Brigade in 2020 as a grassroots community effort to fight litter and keep our local watersheds and beaches clean. Members work together to clean up trash and debris from local trails, creeks, rivers, urban areas, and beaches and we also work as environmental stewards to encourage responsible exploration of our local watersheds.
Volunteering is super fun!
- Sign up for our monthly eNewsletter!
- Volunteer for Community Service Credit
- Inquire about a Hosted Group Cleanup
Sign the Waiver / Exención.
Read the Safety + Outreach Guidelines
Léa las Reglas de Seguridad en Español.
Watershed Brigade Cumulative Cleanup Map:
Here’s How to Get Started!
- Complete the Waiver / Exención
- Pick a Location – Choose an area to clean up. You can pick up litter from anywhere – your neighborhood, a local park, a local trail, a creek bed, highway turnouts … anywhere!
- Grab a Clean-up Kit – Your Clean-Up Kit should include trash bags and latex safety gloves. Use your own or request a kit.
- Read the SAFETY & OUTREACH GUIDELINES. / Léa las REGLAS DE SEGURIDAD en Español
- Clean up! – After reading the safety & outreach guidelines, get out there and start your clean-up!
- Report Back – Recording your volunteer effort is important – and super easy!
In order to earn points, share your info by:
- Completing this quick info sheet.
Litter is one of the most pervasive water quality problems affecting the planet and our local waterways. Thank you for helping keep our local watersheds clean and healthy!
