Cedar Key to Join Annual International Coastal Cleanup More than a million people will join forces to scour the world`s beaches and waterways As summer comes to an end, volunteers around the world and residents of Cedar Key are preparing for the world`s largest annual cleanup of beaches and waterways – the International Coastal CleanupTM (ICC), coordinated by The Ocean Conservancy. On Saturday, September 16, a million volunteers will comb beaches, lake shores, river banks, and even underwater sites in at least 74 countries and 54 U.S. states and territories. Their objective will be to remove and catalogue millions of pounds and pieces of debris discarded in the world`s waterways and present hard data on pollution sources worldwide. The Ocean Conservancy produces and distributes data cards and data guides to be used by all Cleanup volunteers. After the Cleanup, The Ocean Conservancy compiles the information collected by volunteers and reports results that are used by policy makers and environmental groups to pursue programs to protect our marine world. This year's effort in Cedar Key is being spearheaded by the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges FAVOR, and UF/IFAS Shellfish Extension Program. Cleanup of the Cedar Key shoreline and outlying islands will occur from 8:00 AM until Noon on Saturday, September 16. Volunteers are to sign-in and pick-up trash bags at the Cedar Key Marina. From Noon to 3:00 PM, all collected garbage will be sorted and documented on Ocean Conservancy data cards. Cold drinks and hot dogs will be provided to all volunteers.
The Ocean Conservancy began the first coastal cleanup in 1986 when 2,800 people removed trash along the Texas shoreline. The Cleanup mission gradually evolved to include removing debris from all waterways; collecting data on the types and amount of debris; educating citizens about the problem; and using the information collected to support policies and legislation that protect marine wildlife and habitat. The Cleanup was expanded to a U.S. national program in 1988 and became an international event a year later when Mexico and Canada joined. The ICC has grown to include both inland and underwater cleanups in over 118 countries.
Seba Sheavly, Director of The Ocean Conservancy`s Office of Pollution Prevention and Monitoring detailed the uniqueness of the Cleanup. "Every year, volunteers of all ages and walks of life come together to show their appreciation for their local beach, river, lake or bay. It`s exciting to think that a million people around the world are at the same time cleaning up their favorite waterway - on foot, by boat, or in SCUBA gear. Each cleanup is unique in its own right, but all of them work toward one common goal - to make our beaches and waterways safe for both humans and wildlife."
Those interested in joining this year`s ICC in Cedar Key should contact Sue Colson at 352- 543-6648, Leslie Sturmer at 352-543-5057, or The Ocean Conservancy at 1-800-262-FLOR. | 
