Community-Wide Clean-Up Planned in Beaufort Area for National Estuaries Day and National Public Lands Day

Date: September 8, 2014
Contact: Sue Stuska, 252-728-2250, ext. 3017
Contact: Paula Gillikin, 252 838-0886
Contact: Wade Keeler, 252-728-2141

In celebration of National Estuaries Day and National Public Lands Day, several local organizations are organizing a community-wide clean-up of the lands and waters in and around Beaufort on Saturday, Sept. 27 (Rain date: Oct. 18).

HARKERS ISLAND, NC–Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Town of Beaufort invite volunteers to help beautify our coast and protect area wildlife. Event partners include the North Carolina Coastal Federation, Outsiders Bicycle Club, Sierra Club, and Foundation for Shackleford Horses. The groups are seeking volunteers for the following activities:

• 9 a.m. - Beaufort clean-up on foot. Downtown Beaufort and nearby marsh location. Clean-up supplies provided. No reservations required.
• 9 a.m. - Island clean-up by boat. Choose your location. Registration required as boat space is limited.
• • Rachel Carson Reserve (complex of islands just across from the Beaufort waterfront). Participants will return no later than 12:30 p.m.
  • Cape Lookout National Seashore (Shackleford Banks) participants will return no later than 12:30 p.m.
• 11 a.m. - Beaufort clean-up by bike. Bring your own bike or join the group on foot. Clean-up supplies provided. No reservations required. A volunteer appreciation gathering will be held after the bike clean-up. Location TBD.

All volunteers should meet at the downtown Beaufort waterfront gazebo at Grayden Paul Park, on the corner of Front and Pollock Streets. Free parking is available at Town Hall and across the street at BB&T. Trash bags, gloves and pick-up sticks will be provided. Participants should wear weather appropriate clothing that may get wet and dirty. For safety purposes, volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes such as wading boots or old sneakers. Space is limited for the island-based events, so volunteers are encouraged to register early.

In addition to picking up trash, volunteers will help collect data for N.C. Big Sweep and International Coastal Clean-up on the types and quantities of debris collected. This information will be used to better manage debris and focus educational efforts.

These events need a strong volunteer showing to be successful, so the general public is encouraged to attend. All activities are appropriate for children. Information and registration are available online at: http://tinyurl.com/p6kddja. For additional questions, please contact Wade Keeler with the Town of Beaufort at 252-728-2141 or [e-mail].