LMC Gets Down and Dirty to help Clean our Beaches
By Ava Bourbeau
You probably know Loggerhead Marinelife Center for their turtle rehabilitation, but let’s get to know some of their other conservation efforts. The latest is “Tour de Trash,” a progression of traveling beach cleanups. Volunteers are encouraged to show up and join the forces of LMC in their endeavor of ridding our beaches of trash.
The Tour started with the kick-off party at Juno Beach Pier on Friday, Sept. 2. The pier — which usually charges admission — was free to the public and had local vendors lined on both sides of the pier, along with demonstrations of how the trash collected would be repurposed using solar-powered equipment.
Volunteers can simply show up at their preferred nearest cleanup site on the day of the event — registration isn’t required. LMC provides reusable gloves and mesh collection bags. No plastic in sight.
Then it’s time to hit the sand.
There were a couple things I noticed right away. Plastic bottle caps look alarmingly like shells, and people were extremely thankful to see someone cleaning up our beach. Well, one guy asked if it was state-mandated community service.
Regardless, the effort was definitely appreciated by LMC and beach goers alike. And, if you need more encouragement, there’s also a free T-shirt involved. There will also be a beach cleanup every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at LMC.
So, follow the Tour up and down the coast, or drop by close to home!
Tour de Trash Schedule
- Friday, September 2nd
Tour de Trash Kickoff Party & Beach Cleanup, Juno Beach Pier – 4:00 – 7:30 pm - Saturday, September 3rd
Pompano Beach Pier Beach & Underwater Cleanup with Dixie Divers - Sunday, September 4th
The Inlet at Jupiter Beach Park – 8:30 – 11:30 am - Saturday, September 10th
Lake Worth Beach Cleanup @ the Lake Worth Pier – 8:30 – 11:30 am
Samson Oceanfront Park, Sunny Isles Beach – 8:30 – 12:00 pm - Tuesday, September 13th
Worth Avenue Association’s Turtle Tuesday
Palm Beach Island, Florida – 5:00 – 7:00 pm - Thursday, September 15th
Dania Beach Cleanup @ the Dania Beach Pier – 5:00 – 7:00 pm - Friday, September 16th
Bang Energy Beach Cleanup, Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida - Saturday, September 17th
The City of Deerfield Beach ICC Cleanup, Deerfield Beach, FL - Sunday, September 18th
Coral Cove Park, Tequesta, FL - Sunday, September 24th
Tour de Basura Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
Singer Island, Florida – 8:30 – 11:30 am - Saturday, September 25th
Carlin Park, Jupiter – 8:30 – 11:30 am
