Heal the Ocean (HTO), Earthcomb and partners removed more than 12 tons of trash from the Santa Ynez riverbed in advance of winter storms that would have washed the debris into the ocean.

Harry Rabin, HTO field advisor, and Andrew Velikanje, Earthcomb founder, led the cleanup teams and worked alongside Good Samaritan, Oct. 27-Nov. 8.

The cleanup included removing more than 1,100 lbs. of sewage, 30 propane tanks, 230 aerosol cans, 14 car batteries, and 118 shopping carts that were returned to their stores. 


The cleanup collaboration was made possible with support from Marborg Industries, funding from the Rose Foundation, and a donated UTV from Milpas Rental.

HTO and Earthcomb are working with Santa Barbara County and local property owners to find funding for monitoring work that will help prevent this massive trash buildup in the future, organizers said.