OCEAN CITY – The community is invited to join the 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, Sept. 8 at City Hall.
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 trash, volunteers contributed to the world’s largest database on marine debris by logging each trash item. Scientists, researchers, industry leaders and policy makers 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 waterways while fostering awareness of the marine debris issue and a sense of stewardship.
Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participated in this year’s cleanup. Once people participate in a trash cleanup, organizers report they 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 10 a.m. at City Hall on 3rd Street. Volunteers will receive trash bags, latex gloves, trash tally sheet and a commemorative T-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 City Hall. Previous year’s results can be found online at www.oceanconservancy.org.
If you have any questions or like to participate in the Ocean City Cleanup, contact Sandi Smith at [email protected] 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 at [email protected] 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.
Looking ahead, the Assateague Coastal Trust will be hosting its International Coast Day Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Assateague Island National Seashore.