The Coastal Cleanup

Each year, lots of people devote their time and effort to cleaning and helping the shoreline and its surrounding areas at the annual Coastal Cleanup. This event is held in more than 25 countries around the globe. The closest place from Tallahassee where you can participate is at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge spread out among three counties (Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor County) along the Apalachee Bay.

My dad and I attended this event at St. Marks and the two of us collected 4 pounds of garbage near Headquarters Pond. That's not surprising, considering that we were only by the water for part of the time. Last year we collected even less, though. That's because there were no big storms that came through beforehand.

Afterwards the first 600 people who got back from cleaning up their assigned area got a free lunch with a drink of their choice, a hot dog, and chips. We also got a free T-shirt that says “ St. Marks Coastal Clean Up & Awareness Day. ”

The Coastal Cleanup is always fun and I hope I will do even better next year!