Lake Merritt Institute link to website
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What We Do

• The Clean Lake Program: Since December 1996 we have been removing 1,000 to 6,000 pounds of trash from the lake each month under a contract with the City of Oakland. Much of the work is done by volunteers. 
• Education: Our power point sound and slide show presents fascinating details about Lake Merritt, urban runoff (our biggest source of water pollution) people, history and wildlife. 
• Aeration Fountains: Through the generosity of a donor and the City of Oakland, we have installed and maintain four aeration fountains. They provide badly needed oxygen to the water and an aesthetic enhancement to our Lake.

• Our monthly bulletin provides up-to-date information on the natural history of the lake, city projects, news, photographs, opinions...

• We have obtained grants, taught classes, promoted mechanical harvesting as a replacement to herbicide use, pushed for storm drain filters, and installed bulletin boards, tide gauges, and "U-Clean-It" stations.

​Lake Merritt Institute is 501-C-3, non-profit charity, founded in 1992. We are supported and sponsored by the City of Oakland and members like you. Who We Are

• With over 120 members, the Lake Merritt Institute is a community based, non-profit corporation that works with volunteers, schools and the City of Oakland in a cooperative, positive relationship.
• With an office on the shores of Lake Merritt, the Institute is led by a board of directors and an executive director, James Robinson.
• Founded in 1992, we are supported by the City of Oakland, and members like you. ​

Volunteers
​Keeping the Lake clean depends on you. Each month, thousands of pounds of trash accumulate in Lake Merritt. It is removed by retired folks, professionals, housewives, school children, civic organization members, and people just like you and your friends with the help of our staff. ​

​NOTE: VOLUNTEERING IS CLOSED DURING COVID. Will update when available 

Clean Up Days
​Volunteer Schedule 
Volunteers meet at the Institute office, on the 2nd floor of the Boating Center, 568 Bellevue Avenue, next to the parking lot, in Lakeside Park. Go up the stairs at the end of the parking lot.   

• Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
• Every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

We usually work for 2 - 3 hours or more. Gloves are provided. Individuals can also work alone using one of the four "U-Clean-It" boxes around the Lake where you will find gloves, trash bags, barrels, nets, directions and sign in sheet.

Call (510) 238-2290 or schedule an event for your group online. You can also come as an individual on any Tuesday at 10:30 or Saturday at 10 am. Email lmi@netwiz.net 
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• Reservations are not required for most events; just wear old clothes, meet us at the office, or work on your own. 

U-Clean-It Stations

​To aid in removing trash from the water, we have established four "U-Clean-It" stations around Lake Merritt. Each box contains nets, two trash barrels, trash bags, gloves, instructions and sign in sheet. They are located near:

• The Grand Avenue & Harrison St. intersection.
• Between the Lake Chalet restaurant and the Cameron Stanford House along Lakeside Drive.
• At the E. 18th St. and Lakeshore Drive dock.
• By the columns structure, at the end of the Lake between Grand Avenue and Lakeshore Drive​



• Trash Collection​

We pick up trash. We remove it from the water, not the land, using nets to scoop it out and toss it into trash bags. Five days a week when school is in session and four days a week at other times, we clean the shoreline of Lake Merritt. About 1,000 to 5,000 pounds are removed every month.

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