Shore to Shore: A Student's Look at Local Beach Pollution - Spring 2025

For her Cabrillo College “Action for Sustainability” course, Environmental Science major Leah Moos partnered with Clean Oceans International to explore the connection between beach cleanups, data collection, and community behavior. Using COI’s Environmental Plastic Assessment Program (EPAP), Leah surveyed both Seacliff State Beach and Santa Cruz Beach, comparing the quantity and types of plastic debris found.

Santa Cruz Beach, despite having far more trash bins, had over three times the amount of plastic as Seacliff—a trend Leah attributes to differences in visitor demographics and levels of community connection. She concluded that stronger community engagement, especially through youth education, is key to reducing long-term marine pollution. “Cleanups are important,” she wrote, “but real change happens when we change behavior—starting with education and stewardship at a young age.”