Worcester County Coastal Cleanup Set for Saturday, Sept. 19

Calling all ocean lovers!

The worldwide Ocean Conservancy’s Annual International Coastal Cleanup will be hitting the shores on Saturday, Sept. 19, and local beaches will be participating!

Assateague Coastal Trust is coordinating the Assateague Island Coastal Cleanup at the Assateague Island National Seashore. Sandi Smith from Maryland Coastal Bays Programs says since Assateague had such success with its past cleanup events, MCBP, Ocean City Surf Club and the Town of Ocean City began coordinating both a cleanup in Ocean City and a cleanup of the marsh at the Ocean City Park and Ride.

“The Ocean Conservancy program contacted Maryland Coastal Bays Program and said since Assateague did it, would you consider extending it into Ocean City?” Smith said. “I got together with Gail Blazer (environmental engineer for Ocean City) and we were able to do it in Ocean City.”

The Assateague Island Coastal Cleanup begins at 9 a.m. at the North Beach Parking Lot. Those participating are encouraged to bring gloves, bug spray, sunscreen and water.

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, MDCBP said.

This year’s International Coastal Cleanup will coincide with the official celebration of Assateague Island National Seashore’s 50^th birthday celebration, with various activities planned for the celebration after the cleanup in the North parking lot.

The Ocean City Cleanup will begin at 10 a.m. with registration at the 3^rd Street Town Hall gazebo where gloves, bags, tally sheets, location assignments and T-shirts will be provided.

The last Coastal Cleanup Day event in the area will be held at the Park and Ride located in West Ocean City. According to MDCBP, the marshes beyond the fenced area are filled with trash and access is difficult. During 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.

Smith says she was down by the marshes for another event when she noticed all the trash. This is the first year the marshes will be participating in this day and volunteers are needed. The event begins at 10 a.m. at the Park and Ride and gloves, bags and tools will be provided to get into the marsh.