Our History:
Years of Dedication. Tons of Success.
The Washington Clean Coast Alliance formed in 2007 and launched the CoastSavers program to coordinate the efforts of volunteer groups and individuals that have been working to clean up Washington's Pacific Coast from as far back as 1971. Since 2000, our signature annual event has been the Washington Coast Cleanup, which started as a series of separate beach cleanups held every April in celebration of Earth Day.
Prior to 2007, our history has three branches: the Olympic Coast Cleanup founded by Jan Klippert; the three annual Long Beach cleanups organized by the Grass Roots Garbage Gang, and Operation Shore Patrol organized by the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association.
Jan Klippert
In April 2000, Seattle environmental enthusiast Jan Klippert founded the Olympic Coast Cleanup as an Earth Day activity to clean up our northern coast, especially the hard-to-reach wilderness beaches. With the help of Olympic National Park, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Surfrider Foundation, and several tribal groups, Jan's efforts have blossomed into our signature annual event. |
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Grass Roots Garbage Gang
Around the same time, a group of civic-minded folks down in Long Beach came together as the Grass Roots Garbage Gang to clean up their community beaches. With the help of Washington State Parks, the Gang holds three cleanups every year, including a January effort to gather winter storm debris and a July 5 effort to clean up the "war zone" fallout of Independence Day fireworks. |
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Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association
Coming together since 1971 for Operational Shore Patrol, the PNW Four-Wheelers have been at it longer than anyone! With help from Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Ecology, and the Ocean Conservancy, Operation Shore Patrol has become an annual tradition that targets marine debris on Washington's southern beaches. |
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MAKE A DONATION TODAY!
We need funds to cover the cost of heavy-duty garbage bags, disposal fees, signage, and other event supplies that help make each cleanup a success. Donate now through Discover Your Northwest.
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SHARE YOUR PHOTOS
Got photos from a Washington CoastSavers event? Share them online in our Flickr™ group.
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