Long Beach Coastal Cleanup set for September 16

It’s not unusual to spot folks on the beach, even in September, but, come September 16, the Long Beach shoreline will be filled with volunteers all set on one mission – to pick up trash and debris along the Long Beach shoreline.

The Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension and Mississippi Coastal Cleanup have designated Long Beach as their September Monthly Cleanup location. Each month, the two organizations select various locations within the three coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson for a cleanup to keep the community engaged in preserving the environment and to keep it healthy and beautiful.

“They will have the materials for everyone to participate. You only have to bring a bucket to collect the trash in. Come ready to support and help. It’s a day full of cleaning the Long Beach waters and beaches,” says Courtney Cuevas, community Affairs director for the City of Long Beach, who also plans to participate in the event.

Each Monthly Cleanup takes place on a Saturday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and includes a Site Captain at the location to lead the event. Site Captains are responsible for getting volunteers signed in and geared up for the event.

The Long Beach event will begin at the Long Beach Harbor at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 16. Trash bags and gloves are among supplies the Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program will provide at the event. Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes, to bring a refillable water bottle and a bucket to collect trash in, and to wear appropriate sun protection.

During the cleanup, volunteers will pick up trash and record what they are picking up onto a data card. As the cleanup wraps, participants will return the supplies, turn in their data card and have the option to enter their name into a running tally for a raffle prize later this year.

The more monthly cleanups a volunteer participates in, the higher the chances of winning a prize at the Annual Mississippi Coastal Cleanup event in October.

All cleanups have one backup day set for weather cancellations. If there’s inclement weather on September 16, the cleanup date will be rescheduled to the following Saturday, September 23.

For more information or to sign up to help, visit www.CoastalCleanup.Extension.MSState.edu.