International Coastal Cleanup - 9/15

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is the world's largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment. Every September, volunteers from over 100 countries descend on local beaches, rivers, lakes and canals to show their commitment to cleaner waterways. The Ocean Conservancy, the world's largest organization focusing exclusively on the health of the marine environment, has sponsored this annual event for the past 22 years.

In our state, the ICC is much more than just removing trash. By using detailed, standardized data cards, volunteers gather valuable information about the types and sources of debris found. Analyzed and tracked year by year, this information serves as a powerful tool for educating the public, influencing public policy, and effecting positive behavioral change on the part of individuals, organizations, and communities.

The collection of this data by cleanup volunteers of all ages and the resulting report prepared by The Ocean Conservancy is used in the following ways:

• To raise awareness of the quantities and types of marine debris;
• To determine the various sources of marine debris;
• To evaluate the impact of marine debris on wildlife and habitat;
• To assist in the enforcement of regulations against illegal dumping;
• To influence industries that manufacture products that cause harm to the marine environment.

Palm Beach County participates in the ICC due to the efforts of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (KPBCB), a non-profit that coordinates the local event. Palm Beach County volunteers will clean sites from Boca Raton to Tequesta and will receive free t-shirts (while supplies last) to commemorate the event and their efforts.

Volunteers should pre-register and get additional information by contacting the volunteer coordinator below for the site they're interested in, or KPBCB by phone at (561) 686-6646 or by email at keeppbc@bellsouth.net . Report times for most sites is 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Lake Worth Beach
*Meet at Kreusler Park (north side of park/beach)
Sponsored by Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group, Inc.
Volunteer Coordinator: Hilda Wudkiewicz (561) 649-9600