This Saturday is summer’s last one — the autumnal equinox arrives next Wednesday — and just in time comes a reason to spend the morning at the beach.
The International Coast Cleanup, organized by the Ocean Conservancy, encompasses scores of sandy, pebbly places on the North Olympic Peninsula, from Rialto Beach and Cape Alava to Dungeness Spit and Fort Worden State Park. There are easy-to-reach beaches and more rugged ones.
And as the global effort reaches its 30th anniversary this weekend, Washington CoastSavers coordinator Jon Schmidt is inviting volunteers to pick their pleasure.
More information
The map and details await at www.coastsavers.org, while Schmidt pointed out particular beaches.
“We need more volunteers almost everywhere,” he said.
Some beaches especially needing people include Shi Shi, Sooes, the Ozette beaches and Second, Third and Ruby on the West End.
On the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Freshwater Bay, Pillar Point and Ediz Hook could use workers as well.
The www.coastsavers.org site has advance sign-up details for each location, while Schmidt also takes phone calls at 360-460-7532.
Among the areas to be cleaned up Saturday will be Peabody Creek in Port Angeles.
PA CAN, Clallam County Health & Human Services and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition will clean up syringes and other trash along the creek banks.
Participants will meet at 9 a.m. at Olympic Powersports, 221-A S. Peabody St.
To work directly with Clallam County Public Health, call 360-417-2364.
On Saturday, volunteers will clean the beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. On the outer Pacific coast, cleanup workers will go out between 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
In the afternoon and evening, volunteers can go to the thank-you barbecues hosted by CoastSavers partners and sponsors and then attend the inaugural Salmon Feed and Poetry Read at Tillicum Park in Forks.
Barbecues
The barbecues include:
■ Noon to 1 p.m. — Surfrider Foundation’s cookout at Twin Harbors State Park’s Schafer Beach approach.
■ 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — The Surfriders’ meal at the Three Rivers Fire Station.
■ Noon to 2 p.m. — The Lost Resort at Ozette serves up Rob’s famous 15-bean soup.
■ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Surfrider Foundation’s barbecue at Neah Bay’s Hobuck Beach.
Also, Kalaloch Lodge will offer Coast Cleanup volunteers a 30 percent discount on lunch Saturday.
Salmon, poetry
Even more grub will be dished up at the Salmon Feed starting at around 4 p.m. at Tillicum Park, on Tillicum Lane just off Forks Avenue.
Then comes the Poetry Read, a gathering for storytellers and musicians along with the poetic types, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Both the feed and the read are free for cleanup volunteers and their families.
To inquire about performing, email Roy Morris at able@olypen.com with “Poetry Read” in the subject line.
Don Hoch, director of Washington State Parks, said he’s been inspired by the sheer number of volunteers who come out on the cleanup days held every September and April.
Making a difference
They’re making a difference, Hoch said, for wildlife, humans and the big environmental picture on the Pacific coast.
Washington’s statewide Coast Cleanup this past April was a record-breaker, Schmidt noted.
Some 1,550 volunteers carried more than 19 tons of debris off more than 50 Washington state beaches.
“Generally in April, we have lots more debris that has been washed up from winter storms and accumulated throughout the season,” he added.
In September, volunteers typically find more local trash from summertime beach-goers.
It’s important to clean the shores now, said Schmidt, before fall and winter storms break up the debris and send it to other places that are harder to reach.
“We share the Pacific with lots of international neighbors,” Schmidt added, “and we want to do our part, keeping our neighborhood clean.”
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
