Date: September 10, 2009
Contact: Gail Bishop, 850-934-2618
Contact: Steamer Lawhead, 850-934-2629
National Park Service Volunteer Day and Coastal Cleanup September 26, 2009
This fall Gulf Islands National Seashore is participating in a nation-wide “National Park Service Volunteer Day” on September 26, 2009. Park volunteers will clean beaches at Perdido Key, Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa Areas from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Coastal cleanup volunteers are advised to bring drinking water and to wear closed toe shoes and sunscreen. Families, individuals, businesses, schools and community groups can choose a location from the list below. Upon arrival, contact the site captain to register and receive trash bags, data cards and information.
WHERE: Gulf Islands National Seashore:
Perdido Key Area - Meet at Johnson Beach picnic area at Star Pavilion, a half mile east of State Road 292. The entrance fee will be waived for volunteers assisting with coastal cleanup.
Naval Live Oaks Area - Meet at the south side picnic pavilion, located just east of the Visitor Center, 2 miles east of Gulf Breeze on U.S. Highway 98.
Fort Pickens Area - Meet at Battery Worth picnic pavilion (sound side). The entrance fee at will be waived for volunteers assisting with the coastal cleanup.
Santa Rosa Area - Meet at Opal Beach north picnic pavilions on the sound side.
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 8:00 am – 12 noon
This cleanup effort results not only beautifying and making the beaches safer for humans and wildlife, but also documents the collected debris to determine its source in an effort to reduce the incredible volume of trash washing ashore. Last year 350,000 volunteers participated in the international coastal clean-up worldwide. “Our goal isn’t just to clean the beaches, it is to educate people about keeping the beaches clean in the first place,” explained Superintendent Jerry Eubanks. Volunteers will receive International Beach Cleanup data cards, Public Lands Day coupons for free entry to a National Park, and tee-shirts provided by the National Park Foundation and partners. Also included at the Naval Live Oaks Area is “The Great American Picnic” – sponsored by Walmart, Unilever and the National Park Foundation. In a salute to the volunteers, they will provide breakfast and lunch at the Naval Live Oaks Area. In addition, they have provided t-shirts for volunteers at all of the cleanup sites.
The event is a combination of the International Cleanup, America’s National Park Tour, Public Lands Day celebration, and the launch of the film by Ken Burns, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. The 12-hour documentary begins on Sunday, September 27 on local Public Broadcasting Stations.
For more information contact Ranger Amanda Carrigan-Grissom at (850) 916-3001. -NPS-
