FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 12, 2012DEP TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY
~Volunteers are needed for the more than 20 cleanup events scheduled statewide Sept. 15~ Volunteers at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach pitch in during International Coastal Cleanup Day 2011.
TALLAHASSEE – Several Florida Department of Environmental Protection coastal and intercoastal properties and many Florida State Parks will be participating in International Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 15 and are seeking volunteers to help.
International Coastal Cleanup Day is a worldwide effort by volunteers to clean up and improve the environment. In Florida, both Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast properties and parks will be participating. Inland properties are also involved.
Each year, discarded trash sickens, injures or kills marine
animals, damages plant life and can also be a hazard to human health.
This same trash also contaminates
marine ecosystems and causes serious damage to boat props.
Many sites hold regularly scheduled cleanup events with local volunteers, friends groups and community organizations. The recognition brought by this global event -- which features half a million people in 150 countries -- brings attention to all Department sites and not just the most-traveled and popular parks, trails and aquatic preserves.
“With 100 miles of beautiful
beaches, Florida’s state parks participate in the International Coastal Cleanup
Day to provide an opportunity for volunteers to help keep our beaches and
coastal areas free of trash and debris,” said Florida Park Service Director
Donald Forgione. “When someone works to beautify a part of nature, they start
to love it. For us, that means a sense of pride and increased stewardship all
year round.” “I have seen mounds of trash
from just one site, imagine what a difference that makes across our state," said Kevin Claridge, Director of DEP's Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. "Each
single piece of trash collected is no longer damaging plants, animals and water
quality because it is permanently out of the system. For a little bit of
personal time, together, we make a huge difference.”
While cleanup efforts vary, participants should wear protective clothing, work or close-toed shoes, sunscreen, bugspray and bring water and snacks.
Florida State Parks and DEP properties that are participating:
300 Tower RoadNaples8-11:30 a.m.Participants will receive a Keep Collier Beautiful T-shirt.
Marion Millender Park off Patton StreetEast Point8:30-11:30 a.m.
505 Guana River RoadPonte Vedra Beach8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1277 NE 79th St.Miami9 a.m. to noon
700-1 Fisherman's WharfFort Myers Beach9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Project Greenshores- Three Mile Bridge parking lot
Pensacola
8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
10900 Jack Nicklaus DriveNorth Palm Beach8 a.m. to Noon
9700 S. State Road A1AMelbourne Beach8 to 11 a.m.
15402 U.S. 301 NorthThonotosassa8 a.m. to Noon
3266 N. Sailboat Ave.Crystal River8 a.m. to Noon
17000 Emerald Coast ParkwayDestin8 to 10 a.m.
3109 E. Sunrise BoulevardFort Lauderdale8 a.m. to Noon
1603 Cinema DrivePort Richey8 a.m. to Noon
23937 Panama City Beach ParkwayPanama City Beach9 a.m. to Noon
4607 State Park LanePanama City8 to 11a.m.
465 Wakulla Park DriveWakulla Springs9 a.m. to Noon
2601 Atlantic AvenueFernandina Beach10 am to Noon
11135 Gulfshore Dr. Naples8 to 11 a.m.
1340-A State Road A1A South St. Augustine 8
to 11 a.m.
6503 N. Ocean DriveDania Beach9 a.m. to Noon
1900 E. Gulf Beach Drive St. George Island8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
6400 N. Oceanshore BoulevardPalm Coast8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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