Every year on the third Saturday in September people all over the world volunteer to pick up trash during local beach cleanups during International Coastal Cleanup Day. This year’s celebration of the world’s oceans and waterways happens on September 21st.
International Coastal Cleanup Day began more than 30 years ago with communities coming together to collect and document the trash littering their coastlines. Over the decades it grew into a global event.
According to the New York State Beach Cleanup organization data among the top items of trash collected off of beaches were straws/stirrers, cigarette butts, foam pieces, bottle caps, food wrappers, and plastic beverage bottles.
Across Long Island organizations will be hosting beach cleanup events.Some high profile beach clean up will be taking place that weekend. See below as we highlight a few events and list of many more happening that day. Celebrate your love of Long Island beaches with volunteerism.
Use #InternationalCoastalCleanupDay to post your efforts on social media and spread the word.
Long Beach - International Coastal Cleanup Day
According to a release announcing the event by the Town of Oyster Bay, you can join friends, residents, and local environmental groups in fighting ocean trash by participating in this year’s beach cleanup. The City has partnered with Fabien Cousteau and his non-profit, the Ocean Learning Center, to host this year's International Coastal Cleanup Day. This year's cleanup will take place from 9–11am, rain or shine. Volunteers will meet at New York Avenue and the beach. All cleanup materials will be provided. Please remember to bring a reusable water bottle as water jugs will be provided.
Coastal Steward Beach Cleanup at Port Jefferson Harbor
The event, sponsored by The Richard and Mary Morrison Foundation and hosted by Coastal Steward, will take place in Port Jefferson Harbor and Long Island Sound from 8:30am to 3pm. A boat will be required to take part in this event.
Glen Cove: Garvies Point Museum & Preserve Beach
From 10am to Noon, volunteers are welcome to do their part and help clean up the shoreline along Hempstead Harbor. Light refreshments and complimentary live animal presentation for volunteers. Register by September 18th. For more information contact Veronica Natale at vnatale@nassaucountyny.gov or call 516-571-8010
More Long Island beach cleanups happening that day.
Nassau County
Contact: Brooke Newby at brooke@cbcolido.com or 516-992-8992
Time: 11:00am
Long Beach: Lido Beach
Contact: Celeste Campbell at celeste.c492@yahoo.com
Port Washington: Manorhaven Town Park
Contact: Sarah Deonarine at mbpcexec@gmail.com or 516-869-7983
Time: 9:30am
Jones Beach Field 4
Contact: Heather Kennelly at heatherke@westmarine.com or 6316698585
Time: 11:00 am
Jones Beach State Park
Contact: Harry Leggio at camille.campo@parks.ny.gov or (516) 679-7200
Time: 9:00 am
Jones Beach State Park Field #10
Contact: Steve Rosenthal at smr914@gmail.com or 516-205-6683
Time: 10:00 am
Jones Beach, Field 5, Zach's Bay
Contatc: Rosanne Mamo at eowyneenie@aol.com or 516-221-8112
Time: 10:00 am
West Hempstead: Hempstead Lake State Park
Contact: William Brown at william.brown@parks.ny.gov or 516-766-1029
Time: 9:00 am
Suffolk County
Atlantique: AMC Fire Island Cabin
Contact: Marietta C. Phoenix (Marie) at c.marie1972@gmail.com or 718 379-7508
Time: 10:00am
Captree State Park
Contact: Brad Cameron at bradley.cameron@parks.ny.gov or 6318485303
Time: 9:00am
Gilgo Beach (Town of Babylon )
Contact: Ray Eriksen at rayve_us@yahoo.com or 631-885-4479
Time: 9:00am
Babylon: Robert Moses State Park
Contact: Brad Cameron at bradley.cameron@parks.ny.gov or 631-848-5303
Time: 9:00am
Robert Moses State Park, Field 2
Contact: Angel Rivera at arivera@nysenate.gov or 631-665-2311
Time: 10:00am
East Islip: Heckscher State Park
Contact: Timothy Watson at timothy.watson@parks.ny.gov or 631-446-3314
Time: 9:00am
Huntington: Caumsett State Park
Contact: Bill Monahan at bmonahan@nasboces.org or (631)549-0071
Time: 10:00am
Contact: Irene and John Bradley at it21@cornell.edu or (631) 495-2887
Time: 9:00am
Contact: Irene and John Bradley at it21@cornell.edu or (631) 495-2887
Rime: 9:00am
Contact: Irene and John Bradley at it21@cornell.edu or (631) 495-2887
Time: TBA
Belmont Lake State Park
Contact: Joe Brodtman at joseph.brodtman@parks.ny.gov or (631) 667-5055
Time: 10:00am
Northville: Hallock State Park Preserve
Contact: Kevin Kelly at kevin.kelly@parks.ny.gov or 631-315-5475
Time: 10:00am
Orient: Orient Beach State Park
Contact: Bill Bohach at 631-323-2440
Time: 10:00am
Wading River: Wildwood State Park
Contact: Joseph Leissle at joseph.leissle@parks.ny.gov or (631) 929-4314
Time: 9:30am
Find more events happening this fall here.