Cleaning up the coast

The Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway and many other volunteers, rolled up their sleeves, and participated in The International Coastal Clean-up, sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy on Saturday, Sept. 17.

An estimated 300 volunteers cleaned up 1,200 pounds of trash and debris.  Braving high tides and heavy surf, volunteers headed out to locations from, Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach to Vilano Beach in St. Augustine

This year, the Friends of A1A, and the Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation, provided a grant to assist with efforts in the community to clean up our local beaches and waterways.

The group worked in conjunction with local organizations including, the Flagler Beach AllStars, Keepers of the Coast, North Florida Coastal Caretakers and St. Johns Audubon.  

The largest turnout of volunteers was from the Flagler/Palm Coast community, with nearly 150 in the Flagler Beach area alone. Nearly 50 volunteers came from the Flagler Palm Coast High School Air Force Jr. ROTC.

Some of the other groups who participated were, Students Working Against Tobacco, Flagler Palm Coast High School National Honor Society, Flagler County Health Department, the Phun Coast Phlockers, many Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Rotary Clubs, Sons of Italy and the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association.