More volunteers are needed for the Washington CoastSavers 2019 International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday.
Between 250 and 300 volunteers have registered for the cleanup off the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific coast in Clallam, Jefferson, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties, said James Roubal, Washington CoastSavers program coordinator.
The coastal cleanup is generally from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. but individual beaches might have different start and end times, Roubal said.
The Dungeness Spit and Port Townsend beaches have a decent number of volunteers registered, he said, but many others could use more.
“The outer Strait beaches and the coast are in need of a little more love,” Roubal said.
The list of North Olympic Peninsula beaches still in need of more volunteers as of Wednesday are Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Clallam Bay, Twin Harbors, Beach 4, Cape Disappointment, Freshwater Bay, Ozette River/Lake, Lyre Conservation Area, Third Beach, Ruby Beach, Shipwreck Point, Murdock Beach, Sekiu River, Point of the Arches, Hobuck Beach and East and West Twin Rivers.
To register to volunteer and for a full list of beaches, go to tinyurl.com/wccmap19 and select a beach; specific instructions for times and pick-up/drop-off locations will be available for each.
Participation is free. Free camping and barbecues are included at many participating beaches.
For more information about the cleanup, see www.coastsavers.org.
CoastSavers would like to have between 20 and 25 volunteers per beach, Roubal said.
Online registration closes at 5 p.m. Friday, but volunteers can register in person Saturday, Roubal said.
Volunteers will walk beaches and clear them of trash and debris, of which will be sorted, cataloged and weighed.
The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is a global cleanup effort organized by the Ocean Conservancy with coordinators in some 100 nations and 36 states. Washington CoastSavers serves as cleanup coordinators in Washington state.
Trash found at ICC events will be counted and included in an annual index of global marine debris to be released in 2020.
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center, 532 Battery Way, is the home base for volunteers working at beaches at Fort Worden State Park, Fort Flagler State Park, Fort Townsend State Park, Railroad Beach, Chetzemoka Park and North Beach (Port Townsend).
Check-in will start at noon. Volunteers can go to the marine science centers to pick up bags, gloves, maps, clipboards and other necessities. Garbage bags should be returned at or before 4 p.m. Saturday.
Volunteers should bring their own gloves, appropriate clothing and water-resistant shoes, said Diane Quinn, Marine Science Center program coordinator. Quinn recommends possibly bringing a bucket too, to help carry the litter.
“The data that is collected from the trash that is picked up will be added to the International Coastal Cleanup database,” Quinn said.
“That is Ocean Conservancy’s database of what’s being found on beaches around the world and all the information that people bring to us then becomes part of this global to not just clean up the beach but know what is going on out there.
“If people don’t want to get too much into the science of it, [the Marine Science Center team] will sort through the trash ourselves.”
Founding members of CoastSavers include representatives of the Lions Club International, Discover Your Northwest, Surfrider Foundation, Grass Roots Garbage Gang, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Olympic National Park and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Said Carol Bernthal, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary superintendent: “As one of the great philosophers of our times said, ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’ (Dr. Seuss). Marine debris is everybody’s problem and the coastal cleanup is our chance to show the ocean some tender care.”
This is the second beach cleanup of the year, with the first being around Earth Day in April, which Roubal and Quinn say has a larger turnout than the late summer/early fall cleanup.
Questions about how to be involved can be answered by Roubal at either 440-539-4212 or coordinator@coastsavers.org.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
