Rhode Island’s 2019 International Coastal Cleanups will include sites from Providence to Charlestown
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – September 9, 2019 – Save The Bay is leading International Coastal Cleanup efforts in Rhode Island, organizing volunteer-led cleanups across the state, September-October. The International Coastal Cleanup, now in its 34th year, is a global event uniting more than 1 million volunteers in an effort to collect litter and debris from shorelines around the world. In Rhode Island, more than 2,500 volunteers are expected to join in this effort to collect both trash and data for the initiative.
“Every year, we are amazed by how many people care deeply about our shoreline, and are willing to say ‘It’s not OK to trash the Bay’,” said Save The Bay Volunteer and Internship Manager July Lewis. “These community volunteers play a pivotal role in preserving shorelines for recreation and protecting the health of our oceans. We’re always looking for more people to join the cleanup effort.”
Those interested in volunteering for a cleanup will find plenty of opportunities to help, as Save The Bay expects that more than 50 cleanups will take place across the state on and around International Coastal Cleanup Day (September 21). Clean-up sites near Providence include:
CRANSTON
Saturday, Sept. 21:
Stillhouse Cove, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24:
Tongue Pond, 10 a.m.-noon
EAST PROVIDENCE
Saturday, Sept. 21:
Sabin Point Park, 10 a.m.-noon
Sunday, Sept. 22:
Crescent View Ave Causeway, 9 a.m.-noon
Saturday, Oct. 12:
Bold Point Park, 10 a.m.-noon
PROVIDENCE
Saturday, Sept. 21:
Collier Point Park, 8-10 a.m.
Fields Point, 10 a.m.-noon
WARWICK
Wednesday, Sept. 11:
Longmeadow Fishing Area, 10 a.m.-noon
Saturday, Sept. 21:
Conimicut Point, 10 a.m.-noon
Goddard Park, 8-10 a.m.
Oakland Beach, 10 a.m.-noon
Salter Grove, 10 a.m.-noon
Sunday, Sept. 22:
Warwick City Park, 10 a.m.-noon
Saturday, Sept. 28:
Chepiwanoxet Point, 1-3 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 11:
Rocky Point, 1-3 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17:
Oakland Beach, 2-4 p.m.
The complete list of Rhode Island International Coastal Cleanup events can be found on Save The Bay’s volunteer portal at savebay.galaxydigital.com/international-coastal-cleanup. Teams interested in signing up, or those with questions about volunteer opportunities, should contact July Lewis directly at [email protected].
Last year, 2,293 community members participated in 98 cleanups across Rhode Island. The volunteers removed 13,389 pounds of trash and debris from 88 miles of the state’s coastline.
The annual International Coastal Cleanup—organized globally by the Washington, D.C.-based Ocean Conservancy, and locally by Save The Bay—mobilizes volunteers to both remove coastal debris from around the world while recording the amount, type and location of trash collected. The results are published in a global report that includes a state- and country-specific Ocean Trash Index. This data-rich report is a crucial reference for policymakers and environmental advocates around the world.
“Marine debris is a global problem that requires a host of solutions. Improving waste infrastructure in key areas, reducing our use of single-use plastics and moving towards a circular economy are all necessary to stop the flow of trash into our ocean,” said Allison Schutes, director of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. “But cleaning up our beaches and waterways is an important piece of that puzzle, and we are so grateful for the hard work of Save The Bay and all the Rhode Island volunteers in helping us achieve our shared vision for a cleaner, healthier ocean.”
Interested volunteers who are unable to attend a formal cleanup can still contribute to the world’s largest database on marine debris by collecting litter independently and logging each trash item in Ocean Conservancy’s award-nominated Clean Swell app (available for free download from the App Store and Google Play).
Rhode Island’s 2019 International Coastal Cleanup is supported by local businesses and corporations including: National Grid; Citizens Bank; Bradford Soap Works; Amica Mutual Insurance; Roy Carpenter’s Beach; Carey, Richmond & Viking Insurance; American Chemistry Council; Bay Coast Bank; and MetLife Auto & Home.
For more information about the International Coastal Cleanup in Rhode Island, visit savebay.org/icc.
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About Save The Bay: Founded in 1970, Save The Bay is currently celebrating 50 years of advocacy, education, and restoration efforts in its mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed. An 18-month celebration marks the anniversary with special events and a capital campaign to unite the community and lay the foundation for Save The Bay’s continued work toward a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to everyone and globally recognized as an environmental treasure.