LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A new statewide program has begun to encourage local engagement to make communities cleaner, safer and more sustainable, with a Lake County community among the first group in the state to join.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced the launch of the Clean California Community Designation Program.

The innovative program — in partnership with Caltrans, Keep America Beautiful, and Keep California Beautiful — is the latest feature of Clean California, the governor’s sweeping $1.2 billion, multiyear initiative led by Caltrans to clean up, reclaim, transform and beautify public spaces.

“For the past three years, Clean California has transformed littered areas around our state into cleaner, greener, and safer spaces. Now, more than twenty communities are stepping up and committing to do the same – becoming our state’s first Clean California Communities. We all deserve to be proud of the neighborhoods we live in, and with this program, we’re making that a reality for more Californians than ever,” said Newsom.

Last week, Newsom marked three years of Clean California. The Clean California program has created 18,000 jobs and hauled away more than 2.6 million cubic yards of litter — enough to cover nine lanes of Interstate 5 with an inch of trash from San Diego to the Canadian border.

The Clean California Community Designation Program highlights localities committed to a number of long-term, zero-litter policies designed to engage residents in supporting community beautification and environmental enhancement.

Each municipality must complete 10 of 15 specific criteria to earn the designation. So far, 22 communities have taken this first step.

Among that first group of communities is Clearlake Oaks.

Other communities in the first group are Carmel-by-the-Sea, Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Palmdale, Riverside, San Jose, Needles, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Edwards AFB in Kern County, Goshen, San Diego, Sacramento, San Diego, Oakland, Los Angeles, Pacific Grove, West Athens in Los Angeles, San Jose and Yuba City.

Caltrans Deputy Director Mike Keever said the designation spotlights communities that are zero-litter leaders with a vision for a better tomorrow. These leaders understand the long-term benefits to clean communities, and we applaud them for their efforts.”

Clean California Designation Program criteria include a commitment from top local officials, a litter abatement plan, regular local cleanups and litter collection drives, establishing measurements tracking litter removal, and engaging local stakeholders and businesses.

In return, designated communities receive “Clean California Community” signage, educational resources, free cleanup kits, cross-promotional Clean California materials, and priority access to Keep America Beautiful national grant opportunities.

The program’s goal is to enlist 100 communities by June 2025. For more information or an application for the Clean California Designation Program, visit https://cleanca.com/designation/.

For other ways to help clean up your own community or to list a cleanup event, visit the volunteer page at https://cleanca.com/get-involved/.