An army of volunteers numbering about 8,000 strong will mobilize Saturday, Sept. 15 to tackle trash-choked problem areas at 88 inland and coastal sites, lending a polish to San Diego’s jeweled waterways. The local environmental group I Love A Clean San Diego will launch its 28th annual Coastal Cleanup Day throughout the county as part of the greater California Coastal Cleanup Day. While an obvious emphasis will be on beaches, I Love A Clean San Diego will also target canyons, creek beds, parks and urban areas. The ambitious cleanup will also include two new on-the-water cleanup sites along San Diego Bay, according to organizers. Volunteers are being urged to sign up immediately for desired sites prior to the cleanup, which takes place from 9 a.m. to noon. Although participants may opt to travel to more northern, southern or eastern cleanup sites, some of the localized areas include: • Pacific Beach (Rose Creek) • Torrey Pines State Beach • La Jolla Shores • Ocean Beach (Dog Beach) • South Mission Beach • Ocean Beach Pier • Mission Bay (Santa Clara Point) • Mission Valley (SD River Mission Valley Preserve) • Pacific Beach (Tourmaline Beach) • Mission Bay (Bonita Cove, kayak cleanup) • San Diego Bay (Shelter Island) • La Jolla (Windansea) • Point Loma (Sun Harbor Marina) In addition to these sites and many others, local marinas are encouraging the boating community to bring kayaks, canoes or other small vessels and remove debris that has already made its way into the ocean. According to I Love A Clean San Diego organizers, volunteers will also use special equipment to soak up oil slicks on the water’s surface. Ten cleanup sites will get more than just a little sprucing up because funding from San Diego Gas & Electric, and Lowe’s will provide the supplies and equipment to coordinate service projects to transform a handful of locations. One highlight includes a new shaded pathway and upgrading park benches at Lakeside’s Lindo Lake. Cleanup organizers note that volunteers at certain beach cleanup locations might face a slight influx of debris resulting from the gradual arrival of marine debris from the massive 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. To register for a cleanup site and view site details and instructions, visit www.cleanupday.org. Residents who are unable to participate but who wish to financially support the cleanup campaign can do so with a $10 donation by texting the word “CLEAN” to the number 80888. — Personal y contribución