Lake Merritt Institute

Photo by Lee Aurich

Welcome to Lake Merritt Institute

In 2024 with the help of over 1,800 local volunteers, together we pulled out 75,960 gallons of trash from the shorelines and water of Lake Merritt.

2025 Public Cleanup Schedule:

Every Tuesdays and Saturdays 10am

Location: Meet at 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610

Show up and we’ll provide safety training and cleanup supplies.

For teams, classrooms and groups, email us at info@lakemerrittinstitute.org to schedule.

Who We Are

  • 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 by Dr. Richard Bailey, we are supported by the City of Oakland, and supporters like you.

What We Do

  • The Clean Lake Program: Since December 1996 we have been removing an average of 6,000 pounds of trash from the lake each month under a contract with the City of Oakland.  Last year in 2024, we removed 75,960 gallons of trash from the Lake with the help of over 1,800 local volunteers.  Data shows this is less from previous years.   
  • Education: Our Powerpoint 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, was the first to have installed and maintained multiple aeration fountains. They provide much needed oxygen to the oxygen-poor water and provide an aesthetic enhancement to the Lake. The maintains of current aeration devices is handled by LakeTech.
  • Our monthly bulletin provides up-to-date information on the natural history of the lake, city projects, news, photographs, opinions, and an occasional poem.
  • 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.

 

Student Volunteers in front of Lake Merritt Institute

 

How You Can Help

Donate to support us today!

  • Your contributions help us keep doing what we do.
  • Select your Supporter Level here

  • Volunteer

    • 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, school children, civic organization supporters, and people just like you and your friends with the help of our staff. Clean ups are held five times a week during the school year and 3-4 times a week in the summer.
    • If you don’t volunteer, the trash will stay in the lake.

  • Report

    • REPORT dumping paint, cement, plaster, soap, trash or oil in the Lake Merritt Watershed to 311 or Email info@lakemerrittinstitute.org.

     

    Featured Photo by Lee Aurich