Volunteer Recruitment Continues For September 19 Rhode Island International Coastal Cleanup

RHODE ISLAND – More than 2,100 volunteers are needed to help pick up trash and debris at more than 80 beach cleanups along some 60 miles of Rhode Island shoreline, as part of Rhode Island’s International Coastal Cleanup. Individual volunteers, families, and large groups are all welcome for cleanups on September 19, as well as additional cleanups scheduled for September 12, 26, and 27, and October 18. It’s a perfect way to get to the beach, spend time in the sun and do something good for the community all at once.

To date, cleanup locations still accepting community volunteers include:

Note: Sites with an asterisk (*) need more volunteers.

 

 

Barrington:                     Barrington Town Beach (Sept 26)

Block Island:                   Fred Benson Town Beach

Bristol:                             Jacob’s Point (Sept 27), Pebble Beach/Old Ferry Road

Charlestown:                  Charlestown Breachway*

Cranston:                         Stillhouse Cove, Pawtuxet River Walkway (Oct 18)

East Providence:            Bold Point, Sabin Point

Jamestown:                     Ft. Wetherill

Little Compton:              South Shore Beach

Middletown:                   Sachuest Point*, Second Beach, Third Beach*

Narragansett:                  Aunt Carrie’s Beach*, Ferry Beach*, Narragansett Town Beach, Salty Brine Beach

Newport:                         Easton’s Beach*, Fort Adams*, King Park*, Kings Beach*

North Kingstown:         Compass Rose Beach*, North Kingstown Town Beach* (September 27)

Portsmouth:                   Common Fence Point*, Weaver Cove*

Providence:                     Field’s Point Beach, Oxford Street at Allens Avenue*

South Kingstown:          Deep Hole (September 12)

Tiverton:                          Grinnell’s Beach*

Warren:                           Warren Town Beach (October 17)

Warwick:                         Conimicut Point, Oakland Beach*, Warwick City Park, Apponaug Cove (Sept 26), Longmeadow Fishing Area (Sept 26)

Westerly:                         Weekapaug Breachway*, Westerly Shoreline

 

Download a PDF of cleanup site details at: http://www.savebay.org/document.doc?id=635. To find out more about the International Coastal Cleanup and to register as a volunteer, visit savebay.org/icc.

In addition to these larger beach sites, Save The Bay is also looking for volunteers to help identify and clean up ‘micro-sites.’ “These are beaches and shoreline areas that are not large enough to warrant a full team of volunteers, but are those hidden gems – someone’s favorite little spot along the shore – that are perfect for a few friends or family members,” said Lewis. To add a micro-site to the beach cleanup list, volunteers should contact July Lewis at 401-272-3540 ext. 130 or jlewis@savebay.org.

The International Coastal Cleanup, organized by the Washington, D.C.-based Ocean Conservancy, is the largest global volunteer effort on behalf of the ocean. Ocean Conservancy compiles data from global cleanups around the world and publishes an annual report on marine debris. Save The Bay® – Narragansett Bay is proud to serve as the coordinator for the International Cleanup in Rhode Island. Last year, more than 2,100 volunteers statewide joined some 650,000 volunteers worldwide to collect and remove 16,368 pounds of trash from 59 miles of Rhode Island beaches and shorelines from Block Island to Providence and even inland along the shores of the Pawtuxet and Woonasquatucket rivers.

“It really takes the talents and support of our dedicated beach captains, individuals, other non-profit organizations and private companies to make the International Coastal Cleanup successful,” said July Lewis, Save The Bay volunteer manager. “And this is a great opportunity for individual, families and businesses to make a real difference and a strong statement: it’s not okay to trash our bay,” Lewis said.

 

The cleanup also features support from local business and corporations offering financial support and volunteer teams who participate in cleanups. Citizens Bank is the event signature sponsor with a generous $25,000 donation and cleanups at Colt State Park, Scarborough Beach, Rocky Point, and Salters Grove. Additional sponsors and supporters include:  Bank of America, Clean Ocean Access, Hemenway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar, REI, Professional Security Services, Walmart and ZipCar. Many sponsors adopt an area near their business community and use the cleanup as a staff team building activity while supporting a great cause at the same time. For more information about sponsorship, contact Maureen Fogarty at mfogarty@savebay.org.

 

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