Every year throngs of people head to the beach to launch fireworks and celebrate Fourth of July. While it’s awesome to revel in freedom and independence, coastal areas tend to get thrashed in the process. That’s where raising awareness and taking action come in. A handful of nonprofit organizations are anticipating the Independence Day aftermath and making plans to clean up the mess.
Pacifica Beach Coalition, an organization “dedicated to preserving the ocean, coastal habitat, and wildlife, and ending litter through advocacy, education, community building, and citizen action” will be hosting several beach clean-ups just south of San Francisco. They encourage volunteers to join them at Linda Mar, Rockaway, and Sharp Park on the fifth of July with follow-up events on July 8th, 9th, and 15th, including a day at Montara State Beach. To learn more about the work Pacifica Beach Coalition is doing or to register as a volunteer for the above dates click here.
Surfrider Foundation is also aiming to balance out some of the damage. The San Diego chapter is running a “Morning After Mess” clean-up at four locations throughout the county. They’re targeting Ocean Beach Pier, Belmont Park (Hosted by I Love A Clean San Diego), Crystal Pier (Hosted by San Diego Coastkeeper), and Oceanside Pier. Click here to learn more or sign up.
It’s not just California getting into the act. There are many organizations running 5th of July beach clean-ups on the East Coast too. In Florida for example, Keepers of the Coast is teaming up with Volcom to hold Summer Daze, a series of clean-up events happening throughout July. Up north in Montauk, Peconic Baykeeper is joining Surfrider Foundation to keep their local area clean.
These are just a few of the efforts being made to keep our beaches and oceans clean after Independence Day festivities. There are tons more happening around the country. Don’t hesitate to do a little research on your local area to find an event near you. Or better yet, create your own beach clean-up. As it states on the Peconic Baykeeper website, “There is no better way to show patriotism than by showing love to where you live.”
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