International Coastal Cleanup Day
Posted by Dan Hauser on Friday, September 9th, 2016 at 2:53pm.
On Saturday, September 17th people all over the world will gather at their local beaches with one goal in mind: to keep the shorelines free of trash and debris. That's because, that Saturday is International Coastal Cleanup Day.
International Coastal Cleanup Day is the world's largest one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment. Held every September, volunteers from over 100 countries descend on local beaches, rivers, lakes, and canals to show their commitment to cleaner waterways. The event is sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy, the world's largest organization focusing exclusively on the health of the marine environment.
International Coastal Cleanup Day is about much more than just removing trash though. Volunteers gather valuable information about the types and sources of the debris found as well. The information gathered is used to educate the public in order to change the behavior of individuals, organizations, and communities.
Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. coordinates all the cleanups in Palm Beach County from Boca Raton to Tequesta. Locally, two Singer Island area beaches will be holding International Coastal Cleanup Day events. Both Phil Foster and MacArthur Parks will hold cleanup activities on the 17th. All volunteers will be provided with supplies and can earn community service hours. In addition, free commemorative t-shirts will be given out while supplies last. Report times at both sites is 8am and volunteers are encouraged to pre-register and get addition information by contacting the local volunteer coordinator.
Below is the contact information and meet up location for both sites:
Phil Foster Park - park shoreline and beach cleanup
Meet by the playground at picnic table
Volunteer Coordinator: Shana Phelan 561-840-8750
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - beach cleanup
10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach
Meet at Park Amphitheater
Volunteer Coordinator: Art Carton 561-776-7449 ext 109
For more information on International Coastal Cleanup Day, or to pre-register, visit www.keeppbcbeautiful.org/international-coastal-cleanup.html.