Communications Intern at Cleaner California Coast

Tess K., Fall 2024

This semester, I’ve had the opportunity to intern with Cleaner California Coast (CCC), a branch of the Leave No Trace initiative focused on protecting the Northern California coastline across three counties: Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino. Cleaner California Coast’s mission centers around promoting sustainable coastal practices and enhancing visitor education, with a unique emphasis on bilingual accessibility to reach diverse communities.

As a communications intern, my work has largely revolved around building CCC’s social media presence and refining their online outreach. I’ve created posts for their Facebook and Instagram platforms on various topics. Some of my favorites have been a post on sustainable back-to-school tips and a post helping to promote Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants initiative. In addition to social media, I help manage website content, update event calendars, and contribute to CCC’s Google Maps, including expanding maps for dog-friendly parks. One of the highlights has been attending partner meetings, where I’ve learned about the collaborative nature of environmental advocacy. Through this internship I’ve strengthened my skills in digital content creation, project management, and Key Performance Indicators analysis to measure social engagement success. This internship has given me invaluable insight into nonprofit environmental work, and I’m thrilled to be part of CCC’s efforts to make our coastlines cleaner and more sustainable for all.