Volunteers Help Clean Cape Lookout National Seashore’s Shackleford Banks

NC Coastal Federation

News Release Date: July 7, 2015

Contact: BG Horvat, 252-728-2250, ext. 3014

Contact: Lexia Weaver, 252-393-8185

HARKERS ISLAND, NC –A total of 46 volunteers helped clean up the shoreline at Cape Lookout National Seashore's Shackleford Banks on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. The event was organized by Cape Lookout National Seashore and the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Volunteers included day campers from the federation's Coastal Discovery Summer Camps and the Kreek Kids from Broad Creek United Methodist Church.

Litter along our coast is not only unsightly, but is dangerous to human health and safety and wildlife that mistake it for food or become entangled in trash items. Cape Lookout National Seashore and the North Carolina Coastal Federation are committed to cleaning up our coast to ensure the beauty and health of these important resources.

"Growing up in a large, polluted coastal city, I know how lucky we are to have such pristine coastal environments here in eastern North Carolina. By doing these cleanups, we can keep it that way," said Lexia Weaver, Coastal Scientist at the federation.

In addition to picking up trash, volunteers helped gather data for International Coastal Cleanup on the types and quantities of debris collected. This information will help identify and manage the sources of debris and focus educational efforts.

Volunteers collected approximately 150 pounds of trash, primarily foam and plastics averaging the size of a quarter.

If you are interested in helping to protect our coastal wildlife and marshes, the next beach clean-up is scheduled for July 14, 2015. Please visit the North Carolina Coastal Federation at www.nccoast.org to register for future Coastal Marsh Cleanups.