Join Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Ocean City Surf Club and the Town of Ocean City to celebrate the Ocean Conservancy Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 7th at Ocean City Town Hall, and take the pledge to ‘Build the Swell.’
Throughout the world, people will be taking the time to celebrate this annual clean up by picking up trash. Last year, nearly 800,000 people from more than 100 countries removed 250 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways. In addition to removing the trash, volunteers contributed to the world’s largest database on marine debris by logging each trash item. Scientist, researchers, industry leaders and policymakers rely on this data to inform policy and craft solutions
Over 200 volunteers participated in last year’s Ocean City cleanup collecting over 500 pounds of trash. This clean up mobilizes individuals to have an immediate and tangible impact on the health of our waterways while fostering awareness of the marine debris issue and a sense of stewardship.
Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate in this year’s cleanup. Amazingly, once you participate in a trash cleanup, you will find that you will always be picking up trash, which could be a small piece that might just be that piece that saves a bird or a marine animal from harm.
The event starts at 10 am at the Ocean City Town Hall on Third street. Volunteers will receive trash bags, latex gloves, trash tally sheet and a commemorative tee-shirt courtesy of Chesapeake Energy and Sandpiper Utilities while supplies last. Tally sheets can be recorded online through the Adopt Your Street at www.ocsurfclub.org, or you can mail or drop tally sheets off to Ocean City Townhall. For those seeking interesting facts in regards to this worldwide clean up visit https://oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Building-A-Clean-Swell.pdf
If you have any questions or like to participate in the Ocean City Cleanup, contact Sandi Smith at sandis@mdcoastalbays.org or call 410-213-2297 ext. 106. You can register through her ahead of time or simply show up. You may also contact Effie Cox from Ocean City Surf Club atecox3284@gmail.com or 410-600-5953
For those in need of community service hours, this is the perfect event to serve your community and your environment and this event also qualifies for Maryland’s Day to Serve.
Results from this cleanup will be included on the Ocean Conservancy website so you can actually see what a difference you made!
Save the Date: Assateague Coastal Trust will be hosting their International Coast Day Clean up Saturday, September 28 at the Assateague Island National Seashore.
