Port of Oakland holds shoreline cleanup for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

615 gallons of trash collected at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park

The Port of Oakland and Nurture Nature celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20 by organizing 152 volunteers to remove litter from the shoreline. The event was held at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park (MHSP) in the heart of the Oakland Seaport. The 456+ hours of service were possible with the help of Friends of Middle Harbor, League of Women Voters Oakland, Webcor, Your All Day Everyday Janitorial Services, Outdoor Afro, VSCE, Inc. and other community volunteers.

“This is a terrific opportunity for the community to come together for a wonderful cause – protecting the shoreline and the Oakland estuary, and celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Port of Oakland Chief Public Engagement Officer Matt Davis. “In just three hours, participants made a significant impact on the local environment by ridding the waterfront of garbage. Cleanup events like this are an excellent way to promote greater public awareness of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park and showcase the importance of clean shores for wildlife and visitors.”

Volunteers scoured the shorelines for refuse and removed 41 bags of garbage, representing 615 gallons, or a dumpster’s worth. The most common items removed were:

• Food-related products: food bags/wrappers, fast food containers, straws, plastic caps/lids.
• Tobacco products: Cigarettes, filters, butts & tips
• Tiny trash (smaller than 2.5 cm): microplastic pieces & Styrofoam balls

Volunteers also removed weeds from the shoreline and planted native/locally appropriate plants. In addition to their public service, participants enjoyed being outdoors, meeting other community members, taking in the beautiful views of the Oakland estuary and San Francisco Bay, and witnessing the resident and migratory birds. Two bird experts from the Golden Gate Bird Alliance and the Banks family Coopoly Birders helped identify the various bird species for the volunteers.

The Port of Oakland’s MHSP is a public park situated on the Oakland estuary near the harbor entrance where ships pass by on their way to and from the Port. MHSP surrounds a 188-acre shallow water habitat that provides a home to native aquatic species and endangered birds.

The Oakland-based small business Nurture Nature was an organizing partner for the cleanup. Nurture Nature provides opportunities for youth and adults to learn about, connect with, and care for our environment and each other. The group runs our ongoing environmental educational programs at MHSP.