2 tons lighter: Coastal Cleanup Day comes to Lincoln, picks up 4,000 pounds of garbage

More than 165 local volunteers came together last weekend to participate in the 39th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. But this year, a new chapter in community-driven conservation was written, as the Friends of the Auburn Ravine, led by organizers David Wilson and Jim Haufler, seized the opportunity to bring this statewide endeavor to Lincoln. More than 17 groups of volunteers dispersed throughout Lincoln and removed 4,140 pounds of garbage from along waterways and parks. As the first cleanup of this magnitude in Lincoln, Haufler was thrilled at the turnout. "We were nearly at max capacity for our first event," Haufler said. In just three hours, members of the community from ages 6 to 86 filled 133 large trash bags with many items, including a car door, bike tires and a pool table, unable to fit into even the largest of bags. "We created this event to bring awareness to the fact that we can have a direct impact on our waterways and oceans from here in Lincoln," Wilson said. In addition to clearing both sides of the Auburn Ravine from Joiner Parkway to Highway 193, volunteers also dispersed and cleaned trash from five city parks. The success of this event has paved the way for the Great Auburn Ravine Creek & City Parks Clean Up to become an annual tradition in Lincoln. Steve Hubbard, one of the founders of the Friends of the Auburn Ravine said, "We look forward to doing this again next year." The Great Auburn Ravine Creek & City Parks Clean Up is a testament to Lincoln's ability to come together for a worthy cause, all while enjoying a beautiful fall day forming new friendships making our town a little better and more than two tons cleaner. The event was sponsored by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation. For more information about service opportunities in the community, visit justserve.org.