Green Living by Janet Marchant: Greening Our Coastal Cleanup

Who likes clean beaches? We do! Yes, this Saturday, it's time once again for Alamedans to pitch in and pick up all of the litter that's landed on our shore since last year. A tidy beach is much nicer for people to play on, but why stop with trash removal? This time around, let's give some thought to those other users of Alameda beaches, the wildlife!

You may have noticed that although there is a nice, clean, sandy beach along Shoreline, it turns into a muddy, swampy mess as soon as it hits the bird sanctuary. Why should those poor birds have to wade through a stinky swamp while we frolic on natural, sustainable sand? I say we clean up that mud, haul in some bags of sand, and give all of those overgrown marsh grasses a trim. The water birds should be much happier when they have more open space and maybe some clean plastic bags to nest in.

And while we're at it, both the sanctuary and the rest of the shore could use some serious kelp removal. We should follow China's example by clearing out all of that algae while it's still in the water, before it washes up on our beaches.

Anyone who would like to join me in going above and beyond on this cleanup day can register online with the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department or just meet me at the registration table at Park St. and Shoreline Dr. by 9 a.m. I'll be the one on the riding lawnmower with the trailer full of sand!