Volunteers needed for beach and river cleanup

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Volusia County residents can think globally and act locally during the International Coastal Cleanup and Halifax and Indian River Cleanup, set from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 17.

Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division is looking for volunteers to remove trash from beaches, rivers and parks during this worldwide event. Last year, nearly 800,000 volunteers around the world collected more than 18 million pounds of trash during the cleanup, which is sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. Last year, 1,683 Volusia County volunteers collected 7,731 pounds of trash during the cleanups.

In addition to taking part in the cleanup, residents can have a majorimpact on marine debris simply by reducing the amount of waste they use on a daily basis, noted cleanup coordinator Becki O’Keefe.

Volunteers can register online at volusia.org/cleanup from Aug. 1 through Sept. 2. Participants are asked to bring garden gloves, drinking water, and buckets for collecting trash. They should wear a hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothing and outdoor footwear.

Beach cleanup sites include:

Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, 1800 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond-by-the-Sea
Tom Renick Park, 1575 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond-by-the-Sea
Birthplace of Speed Park, 21 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach
Andy Romano Beachfront Park, 839 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach

River cleanup sites include:

Sanchez Park, 329 Sanchez Ave., Ormond Beach
Cassen Park, 1 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Some river locations have boat launches where participants can bring their kayaks, paddle boards, canoes or motor boats to access hard-to-reach coastlines. For more info, contact Becki O’Keefe at [email protected] or 238-4773.