Volunteers Sought for Lake Forest's Annual Creek Cleanup Saturday

Volunteers will band together this weekend to remove trash and debris from Aliso Creek and the trail that runs alongside it as part of a statewide clean-up day intended to reduce pollution in California's waterways.

Lake Forest is hosting its 15th annual such volunteer event in conjunction with others throughout the county from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Participants will meet at the Aliso Creek area via Sycamore Park at 25101 Charlinda Dr. in Mission Viejo, between Rockfield Boulevard and the 5 freeway.

All ages are welcome.

The event is part of a statewide effort to clean up California's coastal, inner-coastal and watershed areas called California Cleanup Day, held each September.

In 2010, nearly 2,000 volunteers in Orange County collected about 38,160 pounds of trash and recyclable material that could have ended up in local creeks, rivers, lakes and at beaches.

Interested in participating?

Give Lake Forest team captain Devin Slaven a call at 949-461-3436 or send him an e-mail at dslaven@lakeforestca.gov and leave your name, e-mail address, phone number and total number of people in your group. No need to wait for an e-mail or phone call back.

Volunteers should bring along a reusable bag or bucket, water bottle, gloves, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a hat.

More than 50 cleanup groups are expected to covene throughout the county Saturday. For a full list, visit the OC Parks website.