Day 247 - Jan. 27, 2012

lifeguard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA

trash collected for 20 min. 

3 pounds

931.6 pounds

Community Count Day 190 - Mark Armen

trash collected for 20 min. 

3 pounds

911.5 pounds total

The Daily Ocean combined total - 1,843.1 pounds of trash off beaches worldwide 

Thanks to my friend Mark, my first night back since being home from Kenya was a total blast. It had been way too long since we'd been out on the beach together. I spent so much of my time chatting away that I forgot to take more pictures!

Mark is up to some seriously awesome, concrete, environmental solutions. He's one to watch. Here is just one of his creative projects. It's an inventive and catchy way to keep cigarette butts from entering out oceans, waterways and littering our streets - THE BAIT TANK. Check it out!

Being home feels great. I'm looking ahead to my last year of beach cleanups, and more than likely less than that. 

I started this blog in March 2009 (I don't do a beach cleanup everyday - my average is every three and my goal is 365 non-consecutive days), but this year I was away for more than one third of the entire year! That's right. Over four months of time spent out of town and far away! 

This makes carrying the momentum of The Daily Ocean a challenge, leaves me feeling behind, and creates the opportunity to ease up on myself with the proper reflection. I've changed since I formed my goals for this project, but I love getting out onto the beach, picking up the liter, taking the photographs and then sharing it with you. 

Bring on 2012!

The last shot of the night. Inspirational. The view, that is, not the photograph, so I thought it fitting to leave you with the news that - 


ALBERTSONS GROCERY STORE IS IN THE PROCESS OF VOLUNTARILY REMOVING PLASTIC BAGS FROM THEIR STORES! GO ALBERTSONS!


For those of you outside of CA, this is huge news and could be compared to whatever your home state, or countries largest chain super-grocery store is deciding to do the same. There's the WOO-HOO I was looking for. Here's the scoop if you'd like to read more.