April is the month for Ocean City Earth Day Cleanups!
Earth day is an event that is observed annually on April 22. It is a day held to demonstrate and promote environmental awareness and calls for the protection of our planet. In observation of this event, several Ocean City environmental non-profit groups are conducting cleanups throughout the town on various dates.
In 1963, the Ocean City Fire Department requested that the week of April 21 be proclaimed as Clean Up Week. And the request was honored. Earth Day, an annual worldwide event to raise public awareness about pollution, wasn’t established until 1970. So, our town has been ahead to the cleanup coordination curve!
April 6 Cleanup
The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), Ocean City Surf Club (OCSC) and the Town of Ocean City will kick off the month of cleanups by hosting their 10th annual Earth Day Clean Up, Saturday, April 6.
Last year, over 200 volunteers joined forces to help the town and coastal protection organizations pick up trash in the wetlands and sand dunes in Ocean City.
Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register with MCBP in advance so there will be plenty of supplies and assignments. Garbage bags, gloves, and a commemorative tee shirt are provided to all volunteers while supplies last. Register your team by either emailing sandis@mdcoastalbays.org or calling 410-213-2297 ext. 106.
You can also register the day of this cleanup. Check-in and registration on Saturday will be held in the Gazebo on 3rd street at the City Town Hall beginning at 10 am. A cleanup area will be assigned to you at registration unless you have an area of preference.
MCBP is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the five coastal bays behind Ocean City and Assateague. The OCSC celebrates our ocean community, its heritage and future.
MCBP is promoting an Adopt Your Street Program where area residents and homeowners will commit to at least four days annually of picking up trash on a specific street. OCSC has a similar program with adopting a beach. The April 6 cleanup is a great inaugural event to commit to keeping your environment clean. You can sign up for a street through the MCBP website at www.mdcoastalbays.org. If you are interested in adopting a beach, you can sign up on the OCSC website at www.oceancitysurfclub.org.
This cleanup event is sponsored by Atlantic Tackle, Bayside Skillet, Brass Balls Saloon, Ocean City Fishing Center, Ocean City Maryland Hotel Group, Sunsations, Sunset Marina and Taphouse.
April 13 Cleanup
On Saturday, April 13, Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) will host its second Annual Trash free Assateague Earth Month cleanup and program. The program is focused on the North Point of Assateague Island, which is adjacent to the south side of Ocean City inlet. This point continues to see excessive amounts of plastics and other litter. This event is only accessible by boat.
ACT will shuttle several groups of four aboard the Coastkeeper boat, but there is limited access so you must register ahead of time.
Those able to attend with their water vehicles such as boats, kayaks or SUPs are encouraged to meet at the back side of the island. Cleanup time is 9:30 to 1:00 but shuttles will begin as early as 7:45. A post-event party will take place in the Taco Shop at Mother’s Cantina. For more information contact billy@actforbays.org.
ACT is a non-profit dedicated to protecting the coastal bays behind Ocean City and Assateague Island.
April 20 Cleanup
On Saturday, April 20, the Surfrider Chapter of Ocean City will be hosting a cleanup on April 20 beginning at 11 am. Just show up at 135 street and ocean pathway and join the group in collecting litter on the beach.
There are also two large church groups conducting cleanups on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, April 14. Contact sandis@mdcoastalbays.org for more information. All are welcome to participate in any of these volunteer events. These events qualify for community service hours.