Date: April 18, 2011
Contact: Dave Reynolds, 360-565-2985
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005
As part of its celebration of National Park Week, April 16 – 24, Olympic National Park invites volunteers to join in the Washington Coast Cleanup this Saturday, April 23.
Volunteers are needed at approximately 40 sites along the coast, both inside and outside of park boundaries. Civic organizations, school groups and individuals will take to Washington's beaches to remove marine debris including lost fishing gear, crab pots, plastic bottles, and other trash that washes ashore and harms coastal ecosystems and wildlife.
Last year, over 1,000 volunteers cleaned up 16 tons of household plastics, lost fishing gear and other debris that would have poisoned our wildlife and trashed our beaches.
Volunteers may help with a variety of tasks, including running volunteer check-in tables, transporting collected debris to local dump sites, and even holding barbeque celebrations after the Coast Cleanup.
"Olympic National Park is grateful to the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to look after and protect our coastline," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. "In conjunction with Earth Day, as a part of National Park Week, and every day within the park, volunteers make a difference."
The Washington Coast Cleanup is sponsored by the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, a partnership of eight founding members including the Grass Roots Garbage Gang, Lions Club International, Northwest Interpretive Association, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Olympic National Park, Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association, Surfrider Foundation and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
