Imagine a Santa Cruz County where every park, beach, creek and neighborhood is free of litter. Where clean streets and open spaces reflect the care we have for our environment and one another. That vision is within reach — but it’s going to take all of us to get there.

On Saturday, May 10, the community will come together for the second annual Pitch In All Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day, a powerful effort to remove litter and debris from every corner of our county – from Davenport to the Pajaro Valley, and everywhere in between.

This is more than just a cleanup. It’s a call to action to become better stewards of the place we call home.

Santa Cruz County has long been a statewide leader in environmental consciousness. From banning single-use plastic bags to pioneering composting programs, our community has consistently stepped up to protect our coastlines, wildlife and quality of life. But even with that progress, we still face persistent challenges — especially when it comes to illegal dumping and everyday litter that pollutes our neighborhoods, waterways and natural spaces.

The Pitch In Initiative is a community-driven response to those challenges, uniting individuals, schools, nonprofits, businesses and local leaders around a common goal: to make Santa Cruz County the cleanest county in California. And the only way we’ll achieve that goal is by working together — every resident, every neighborhood, every generation.

Last year, more than 430 volunteers joined forces across over two dozen cleanup sites, collecting more than 1,500 pounds of litter in a single day. They came from schools like UC Santa Cruz and Pajaro Valley High School, from community groups like the Farm Bureau, Community Foundation and Land Trust, and from businesses like Martinelli’s and Big Creek Lumber. Local and state elected officials rolled up their sleeves alongside families, students and retirees. That’s the kind of community spirit that sets Santa Cruz apart.

This year, we’re aiming even higher. The May 10 cleanup offers dozens of opportunities for anyone — regardless of age or experience — to get involved. You can join an existing cleanup team or organize your own. Supplies are provided, and it’s as simple as showing up. All the information you need is available at www.pitchinsantacruz.org.

Participating in a cleanup isn’t just about removing trash. It’s about protecting the health of our environment and the well-being of our communities. Litter doesn’t just look bad — it clogs storm drains, endangers wildlife, contaminates soil and water, and contributes to a sense of neglect. By picking it up, we show pride in where we live and send a clear message: this community cares.

Whether you live in the mountains or near the coast, in a city or a rural neighborhood, your participation matters. Stewardship starts with each of us — and small actions, multiplied by hundreds of people, can lead to transformational change.

So on Saturday, let’s come together. Let’s roll up our sleeves, grab some gloves and a trash bag, and show what it means to Pitch In. Together, we can make Santa Cruz County the cleanest — and most caring — county in California.

Sally-Christine Rodgers is the founder of Pitch In Santa Cruz.