BERLIN — There are several opportunities available for residents and visitors to help the community participate in the worldwide Ocean Conservancy’s Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Ocean City Surf Club and the Town of Ocean City are coordinating both a cleanup in Ocean City and a cleanup of the marsh at the Ocean City Park and Ride, and the Assateague Coastal Trust is coordinating the Assateague Island Coastal Cleanup at the Assateague Island National Seashore.
The Maryland Coastal Bays, Ocean City Surf Club and Town of Ocean City Cleanup will begin at 10 a.m. Registration for the beach cleanup will be held at the 3rd Street Town Hall gazebo where gloves, bags, tally sheet, location assignments and T-shirt (while supplies last) will be provided.
The other much-needed Ocean City cleanup event will be held at the Park and Ride located in West Ocean City. Unfortunately, the marshes beyond the fenced area are riddled with trash and access is difficult. However, for this event, the Ocean City maintenance department will be providing access and supplies for people to get down and dirty to remove the debris and trash from the marshes.
This event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Park and Ride. Gloves, bags and the necessary tools will be provided to get into the marsh for a cleaner environment. Free T-shirts (while supplies last) will also be included at this event.
The Assateague Island Coastal Cleanup begins at 9 a.m. at the North Beach Parking Lot on Assateague Island National Seashore and usually ends by 11 a.m. Bring your gloves, bug spray, sunscreen and water. Trash bags, cleanup assignment location and tally sheet for tracking what you’ve collected will be provided as well as a free T-shirt (while supplies last) from Delmarva Power.
Some volunteers will be able to access sections of the Assateague beaches on beach vehicles provided by the National Park Service. The Park Service only permits adults and older children in the vehicles. No dogs or small children (those who require car seats) may be transported in park vehicles. Private vehicles with an ORV permit are allowed to clean sections of the ORV zone on Assateague Island National Seashore. No other private vehicles are permitted to drive on the beach.
The Assateague Coastkeeper will lead volunteers who wish to clean up the Assateague bayside by boat, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Bayside cleanup volunteers are asked to register at the North Beach parking lot before meeting the Coastkeeper at 9 a.m. at the parking area for Old Ferry Landing on Assateague Island National Seashore.
This year’s cleanup event will coincide with the official celebration of Assateague Island National Seashore’s 50th birthday celebration. Various activities are planned for the celebration after the cleanup in the North parking lot.
All these opportunities are a great way to get out and make a difference in your community. For those needing community service hours, these events are perfect. The best part is all tally sheets are sent to the Ocean Conservancy which is then posted with the results of other communities from all over the world. You can see last year’s results by visiting their website at http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/international-coastal-cleanup/
For more information on the Assateague clean up, please contact the Assateague Coastal Trust at 410-629-1538 or visit the ACT website at www.actforbays.org. For more information on the Ocean City clean ups please contact Maryland Coastal Bays Program at 410-213-2297 ext 106 or [email protected] .