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

National Park Service

News Release Date: September 4, 2015

Contact: BG Horvat, 252-728-2250, ext. 3005

Contact: Paula Gillikin, 252-838-0886

Contact: Wade Keeler, [e-mail]

In celebration of National Public Lands Day and National Estuaries Day, several local organizations are coordinating a community-wide cleanup of the lands and waters in and around Beaufort on Saturday, September 26 (Rain date: September 27).

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, Tourism Development Authority, and Foundation for Shackleford Horses. The groups are seeking volunteers for the following activities:

• 10 a.m. - Beaufort cleanup on foot. Downtown Beaufort and a nearby marsh. Cleanup supplies provided. No reservations required.
• Island cleanup; transport by boat. Choose your location. Registration required.
• • 10 a.m. -Rachel Carson Reserve (complex of islands just across from the Beaufort waterfront). Participants will return to Beaufort by 1:00 p.m.
  • 9:30 a.m. -Cape Lookout National Seashore (Shackleford Banks). Participants will return to Beaufort by 1:30 p.m.

All volunteers should meet at the downtown Beaufort waterfront gazebo at Grayden Paul Park, on the corner of Front and Pollock Streets. Nearby parking is available; the local parking meters will not be in use at that time. 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 Cleanup 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 252-728-3175, extension 225 or [e-mail].