International Coastal Cleanup Day

You can keep waterways cleaner during COVID, a time when increased use of single-use items has led to worse plastic pollution.

Take part in the annual #InternationalCoastalCleanup with RE Sources, Ocean Conservancy Northwest Straits Surfrider, and Whatcom Marine Resources Committee for a socially distanced beach cleanup at Locust Beach, Cherry Point, or Semiahmoo Spit. A great way to spend time outside, safely, while keeping plastic from polluting Bellingham Bay!

One small group of people picking up trash on Bellingham’s beaches can regularly collect hundreds of pounds of plastics in a single morning. Plastic left in our waters has broken down and seeped into everything from drinking water to table salt and craft beer. If you would rather gather trash on your own during Whatcom Water Weeks, that is also great! Please consider reporting where and how much trash you picked up using the Clean Swell App: oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/cleanswell/

Please sign up to indicate your interest here: https://bit.ly/3hwa1AQ

LOCATIONS

– Locust Beach: Cleanup supplies will be located In the small parking lot that is located on Locust Avenue off of Marine Drive. Map: https://bit.ly/2H8BaNK

– Cherry Point Beach: Cleanup supplies will be available at the end of Gulf Road. Map:  https://bit.ly/2FBNKV9

– Semiahmoo Spit: Cleanup supplies will be located at Semiahmoo Park on Semiahmoo Parkway. Map: https://bit.ly/2HbzuTP

RSVP is encouraged but not required. Contact Eleanor Hines at eleanorh@re-sources.org for more info or to RSVP.

Learn more about Whatcom Water Week, September 12-19: https://www.whatcomwaterweeks.org/