Many organizations and governmental entities have been addressing the issue of litter independently, however there lacked coordination. Trash Talkers goal was to get the right people in the room, to learn what is already being done, to create a strategic plan, come up with solutions, funding, ordinances, accountability, and execution. Trash Talkers members include:
- Congressman Jimmy Panetta
- Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
- Senator John Laird
- Speaker Robert Rivas
- Trina Barton (Office of Justin Cummings, 3rd District County Supervisor)
- Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
- Watsonville Wetlands Watch
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- County Office of Education
- Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
- Pajaro Valley Unified School District
- Pajaro Valley Chamber
- City of Watsonville
- City of Santa Cruz
- City of Scotts Valley
- City of Capitola
- Cal Trans
- California Highway Patrol
- Santa Cruz County Sheriffs
- Santa Cruz Metro
- State Parks
- Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
- The County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure
- Trash Talkers Coordinator
For over a year, the Trash Talker members have collaborated on reducing litter. Beginning in South County, our collation identified “Hots Spots,” coordinated clean-ups, developed a mission statement, a logo, and this web site. Now, these agencies are for the first time working in an engaged, coordinated effort to address illegal dumping, the impacts of encampments, and the random litter that mars our beautiful county. Along with our enforcement partners, we are seeking to educate community members, eradicate this illegal activity and to seek prosecution where appropriate.