Central Coast Aquarium also hosting Earth Day celebration

–The Central Coast Aquarium is presenting a free event that features a scuba dive cleanup off the Harford Pier in Port San Luis on Saturday April 16 from 7 to 11 a.m. This event hosts up to 60 volunteer scuba divers who search around the pier for trash on the seafloor.

Then on Saturday April 30, the Aquarium will host a beach, estuary and trail cleanup, and a marine life festival featuring seven educational and wildlife organizations that will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the aquarium’s front lawn. Participants will enjoy a “thank you” barbecue hosted by the San Luis Obispo fire Department, served at noon. In addition, there will be live music and fun activities for the kids throughout the day. All cleanup participants will also receive a half-off, same-day aquarium admission.

“This is a fun, eco-opportunity event that incorporates the message of keeping our rivers, estuary, beaches and ocean clean while participating in active stewardship, a pillar of our mission at the Central Coast Aquarium,” said Tara Malzone, executive director. “We are very grateful to all of our sponsors and partners who are sharing in this Earth Day Festival and hope to see the community join us in our tradition of caring for the ocean.”

Over 450 participants cleaned 240 pounds of trash and 125 pounds of recyclables at last year’s event. Participants and visitors also enjoyed numerous exhibits and speakers.

More information is available on the CCA’s website www.centralcoastaquarium.com.