Every year, more than 10,000 Orange County students learn about estuarine ecosystems and local wildlife through field trips hosted at Upper Newport Bay — one of the last remaining coastal wetlands in California.
To help preserve this vital estuary, OCDE’s environmental education program — Inside the Outdoors — is inviting families and volunteers of all ages to join its annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 25. Participants will help remove trash and assist ITO naturalists with restoration activities to support the local environment.
This hands-on event gives families the chance to connect with nature in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of togetherness and service. The cleanup efforts will also help preserve the area for endangered wildlife. Those interested in getting involved can sign up for free online.
Inside the Outdoors staff, in partnership with OC Parks representatives, will provide instructions along with bags and tools to clean up the wetlands. Participants are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes, bring their own reusable water bottles and even document their efforts to share on social media.
After the cleanup, community members can visit the onsite interpretive center to explore and learn more about the ecological makeup of Upper Newport Bay and its role as a habitat for endangered species.
“Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a meaningful opportunity to give back to Upper Newport Bay, a beloved natural space that welcomes thousands of our Orange County students each year,” said Sara Ludovise, coordinator of Inside the Outdoors. “By coming together as a community, we can help preserve this special place for future generations to learn, explore and enjoy.”
The MLK Day of Service will start at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. In the event of rain, the cleanup will be canceled.
Additional opportunities to support regional cleanup efforts and learn about environmental stewardship can be found via the Inside the Outdoors website.