EARTH DAY Spirits not Dampened at the 32nd Annual Beach Sweeps!

EARTH DAY Spirits not Dampened! 

Sweeping Success as Thousands Hit the Jersey Shore Beaches

Coastal New Jersey —Most of the earth is ocean, so it makes perfect sense for thousands to flock to the Jersey Shore to help improve and protect that which brings so much joy year round.   Rather than bathing suits and flip-flops, thousands of beach goers donned gloves and work shoes for Clean Ocean Action’s (COA) 32nd Annual Beach Sweeps at over 60 Jersey Shore sites from Middlesex to Cape May County. Dedicated volunteers spent the day cleaning, collecting and calculating the debris removed from each site.  More and more of the state is participating with sites along the Delaware and in Essex County joining in.  For complete list of locations click here.  For photos for use from Beach Sweeps locations statewide visit Clean Ocean Action’s Facebook page here.

The data produced from this event is publicized in an annual report that provides evidence about the type and quantity of debris found along beaches which is used to educate and motivate for solutions to marine pollution.

“The Beach Sweeps never cease to amaze me! Volunteers from the tall and the small to the young and the old, are an inspiration for us to continue to do what we do. COA’s daily work is to provide and protect our oceans, bays, waterways and beaches,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “Volunteers from schools, churches, businesses, organizations, corporations and teams continue to get ‘down and dirty’ to rid our beaches of the litter that has accumulated all winter. This year was no different! Volunteers are even resolved to make personal changes in their daily lives in order to reduce ocean pollution. In a perfect world we wouldn’t need to come back for Beach Sweeps in the fall but until that happens, we will see you in October and remember to pick up debris on every trip to the beach.”

 

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr, (6^th District) greeted the crowd of 1000 at Sandy Hook saying “What you are doing is so important.  The work you do here today has a real impact and has led to the passage of laws such as the Microbead Ban Act which goes into effect this year.”

Valerie Montecalvo, President, of Bayshore Recycling Family of Companies reminded everyone that it was 30 years ago that Governor Tom Kean signed the NJ Mandatory Recycling Act.  “NJ is the nation’s #1 recycler, but we need to do more.” Debris removed by volunteers at Sandy Hook was sorted at Bayshore Recycling Family of Companies to maximize recycling opportunities.

“Seeing the community come together in order to better the environment is truly a beautiful thing,” said Amy Arietta, Program and Administrative Coordinator. “This event is a chance for the general public to become a part of something much larger than themselves. Individuals are scientists for the day as they assist COA in collecting data that will eventually be utilized for scientific purposes. Beach Sweeps is a volunteer driven event – they are the beating heart of our program.”

  

“I've loved seeing so many people show up to the Beach Sweeps ready to make a change. What we are doing today is so important.” – Sierra Byrne, Sandy Hook Beach Sweep Coordinator with Marine Academy of Science and Technology.

Zoe Sucato, also of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, said, “It is so important to stop plastic pollution in the ocean.  Sea cucumbers are amazing squishy creatures and they eat bits of plastic and it is killing them.  All marine life is threatened by plastic and we need to stop this cycle.”

COA Beach Captains are the champions.  They engage with the local community and direct the hub of volunteers and individual participants at their location. These captains lead the cleanup effort at each site and are an indispensable part to which we owe the overall success of the program.

Selected totals from Sandy Hook included: Plastic Pieces- 9,675; Bottle Caps- 7,074; Straws- 3,041; Candy Wrappers- 6,854; Syringes- 51; Balloons- 180; Foam pieces- 4,621; Plastic beverage bottles- 1,406; Glass bottles- 426.

Throughout Beach Sweeps, volunteers are encouraged to note any out-of-the-ordinary finds. COA labels these finds as “The Roster of the Ridiculous”. Some of the items catalogued today included: license plate, baby car seat, scarecrow, bag of drugs, stuffed toy bunny, bird cage, charred bar stool.

With gratitude, Clean Ocean Action thanks: AVEDA, Bank of America, Comcast, KOHL’s, OceanFirst Foundation and ShopRite for their 2017 Beach Sweeps Statewide Sponsorship. The Spring Beach Sweeps are made possible by support from many generous sponsors.

“Wakefern Food Corp/ShopRite is pleased with our 15+ year partnership with Clean Ocean Action (COA). As an environmentally and community oriented business, ShopRite respects when an organization can bring about effective change by involving more and more community member volunteers each year.  The COA Beach Sweeps event brings about the improvement of an important ecological habitat, and when groups of like-minded people come together to solve a problem or improve their environment, they can make a difference and accomplish what an individual could not do alone.  We are proud to be a part of it!” Suzanne Forbes, Corporate Communications, Environmental Affairs Administrator, Wakefern Food Corporation.

“At Aveda, we care for the world we live in.  Every April we celebrate Earth Month and for the mast 8 years we have been focused on clean water projects around the world, to date we have raised $38 million. Together in partnership with Clean Ocean Action they help us educate our Salon network, Experience Centers and guests on how they can take an active for protecting our water locally,” said Eva Van Anglen with Aveda. “We’re really excited to clean up the beach, we constantly strive to live by Aveda’s mission and it’s a reminder about how important the environment is. It is Earth Day every day for us.”

For review the results from the most recent and previous Beach Sweeps, visit cleanoceanaction.org.

Dear Friends of the Ocean, We toast you and all you do for the coast! There is much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving...especially you! Thanks to your dedication, advocacy, time, and support the ocean remains wild and free from harmful industry, beaches are cleaner, and it's safer to swim. We wish you waves of joy this  Thanksgiving and always! -- From all of us at Clean Ocean Action

Hats off to the C.O.A.S.T. Campaign

Summer is in full-swing, which means it is coasting time!  There’s nothing more refreshing than a beautiful beach day at the Jersey shore, which is where you’ll be seeing our volunteer advocates helping out to prevent ocean pollution.

This summer, COA will be hosting the 26^th annual Clean Ocean Action Shore Tips (C.O.A.S.T.) campaign to help educate citizens about current ocean pollution issues. As in previous years, you will find our volunteers at information tables on beaches, beach clubs, and festivals throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties on weekends in July and August.  If you are interested in having a C.O.A.S.T. table on your beach or at your festival, please feel free to contact Melissa. 

We know you’ve been waiting for them, so the C.O.A.S.T. campaign for 2015 will be featuring new merchandise: COA hats!  The hats will be available in multiple colors and will display our vibrant logo.  Stop by one of our tables to pick up one of your very own.

The (tentative) weekend table schedule is as follows:

June 27-28: Bradley Beach LobsterFest

July 4-5: Ship Ahoy Beach Club

July 11-12: Chapel Beach Club, Driftwood Beach Club, Sands Beach Club, Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club

July 18-19: Atlantic Highlands Film One Festival, Asbury Park Blues & Brews Festival, Promenade Beach Club

July 25-26: Sea Bright Public Beach, Edgewater Beach Club, Loch Arbor Public Beach, Bradley Beach Public Beach 3

August 1-2: Brick Public Beach 3, Long Branch Public Beach, Highlands Clam Festival, Seaside Park Boardwalk

August 7: Beach Ball-A-Palooza

August 9-10: Lavallette Public Beach, Elberon Bathing Club, Avon-by-the-Sea Public Beach, Allenhurst Public Beach

August 15-16: Jenkinson’s Pavilion, Ocean Grove, Island Beach State Park

August 29: Long Branch Jazz and Blues

To volunteer at a C.O.A.S.T. table, please call Melissa at (732) 872-0111 or email her at Coast@CleanOceanAction.org.  We hope to see many supporters on the beaches and at festivals this summer! Stop by a C.O.A.S.T. table to learn about ocean pollution issues, sign important petitions, donate to our cause, buy popular environmentally-themed merchandise and learn how to become more involved with Clean Ocean Action! Together we can achieve a cleaner ocean.

30th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps

Nearly 4,000 Volunteers Swept the Beach

Waves of thanks to everyone who participated in our 30th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps! Nearly 4,000 volunteers hit the beaches at over 70 sites from Essex County to Cape May County. Another huge thank you to Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Captains, the volunteers who lead the entire group of participants at each Beach Sweeps location - you are essential to the program’s success. Clean Ocean Action may organize the cleanup and compile the data, but it is truly the Beach Captains and the volunteers that are the heart and soul of this program.

For three decades volunteers have been making their way to the coast, bays, and waterways, twice a year, to clean up debris. Many of the volunteers have personal ties to the Shore and have been participating for multiple generations. The volunteers this year powered through the morning chill and got right into sweeping the beaches.

•       Participants in Atlantic City rallied beforehand with speeches from Charlie Wimberg, Region VP of Atlantic City Electric and elected officials.
•        213 volunteers showed up at the Raritan Bay Waterfront and found some unusual  items including animal bones, broom, binoculars and pliers.
•       A yoga mat was found on an Asbury Park Beach.
•        At Snug Harbor in the Highlands, a volunteer found possible fulgurite, blob of glass fused sand caused by lightening strike!
•    Students from Hightstown Environmental Club found a door and giant plastic container in Sandy Hook.
•         An amazing find was a seahorse at Ortley Beach! Although the wondrous critter had passed away, it is a healthy sign that they are back.

Selected totals from Sandy Hook included: 6265 food/candy wrappers, 8289 plastic pieces, 3126 straws/stirrers, 2301 foam pieces, 1339 store/shopping bags, and 1680 beverage/soda bottles.

In addition to logging standard debris counts for various plastics, glass and lumber items, Sweeps participants also logged the strange objects that make their way to the beach from various nonpoint sources. Some of the ridiculous items catalogued today included a yoga mat, underwear, dog dentures, teddy bear, a Valentine’s Day stuffed heart, tire, seahorse, and sand hit by lighting glass.

This spring data will be combined with data collected in the fall. Make sure you mark your calendars for the 30th Annual Fall Sweeps on Saturday October 24th from 9 AM to 12:30 PM at the various locations!

Why I am a Beach Captain

By Leah A. Savia

Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Captain for Island Beach State Park

Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweeps is an important event that I have had the distinct pleasure of volunteering for as Beach Captain at the Island Beach State Park location the last five years. I will a Beach Captain there this upcoming Spring Beach Sweep on Saturday April 25^th. As a transplant from NYC, and new member of the Barnegat Bay Watershed, I was introduced to Beach Sweeps as part of a student event at Ocean County College and consider it not only a duty, but one of my core passions—volunteering, to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our surrounding water bodies.

What better way to truly be a part of this amazing county and community? Beach Sweeps is a family, couple, grandparent, kids, and student friendly event, and it provides an education component that transcends being inside of a classroom. Very often the nature of what refuse is found is discussed, pondered, and further researched by many of the groups I work with every spring and fall season. How did a crematorium tag from Bergen County get all the way down here on the bayside? It certainly spurs the imagination of our participants.

Sharing my experience and satisfaction with being a part of this event is perhaps why I am choosing to write you. Surely there are some good people reading your publication who have the desire to do something for their community, they just don’t know what. If any of you reading this swim, sail, walk, run, entertain guests, meditate, do yoga, waverun, or bask in the glorious summer sky off or on the shores of the Atlantic or surrounding waterways, to them and to you, I say -  come join us Saturday April 25^th from 9 AM to 12:30 PM at over 70 locations around New Jersey! 

2014 Beach Sweep Dirty Dozen – Top 12 items found

For thirty years, Clean Ocean Action (COA) has been scouring the beaches of New Jersey for marine debris, which then gets compiled into annual reports showing the type and amount of debris collected. Last year nearly 7,000 volunteers took to the beaches and bays collecting and recording what they found. The findings are compiled in the 2014 Beach Sweeps Annual Report, highlighting the Dirty Dozen, Roster of the Ridiculous, and the totals for over 90 items of marine debris collected by volunteers last year. Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps started at Sandy Hook in 1985 with 75 volunteers and has become New Jersey’s largest environmental event, with thousands of citizens search and clean nearly the entire coastline and bay beaches.

In 2014, close to 7,000 volunteers collected, tallied, and removed over 315,000 pieces of debris from New Jersey’s shoreline during Clean Ocean Action’s 29th Annual Beach Sweeps. The majority of the debris removed was disposable plastics. Plastic, including foam, represents 76.9% of the total waste found. The evidence is clear: disposable plastic items continue to litter beaches, threaten marine life, and impact water quality.  

Dirty Dozen – Top 12 Items Found:

1. Plastic Pieces – 40,880 
   
2. Cigarette Filters – 30,241
3. Plastic Caps/Lids – 29,804
4. Food Candy Wrappers/Bag – 27,381
5. Straws/Stirrers – 18,372
6. Foam Pieces – 13,050
7. Glass Pieces – 12,703
8. Plastic Beverages/Soda Bottles – 11,775
9. Lumber Pieces – 9,235
10. Plastic Store/Shopping Bags – 8,037
11. Cigar Tips – 6,366
12. Paper Pieces – 5,560

Pollution continues to flow in from many land point and non-point sources in the New York City and New Jersey metropolitan area. Over the past four years, small plastic pieces have consistently placed in the top two types of items found during Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweeps. In 2014, plastic pieces ranked number one.

Always remember REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE! Reusable bottles, straws, and shopping bags would greatly reduce the amount of plastic we use. Always refuse or reuse when you can, but if that is not an option always recycle!

Don’t forget to join us for the 30th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps Saturday April 25^th from 9 AM to 12:30 PM at over 70 locations around New Jersey. Visit www.cleanoceanaction.org for more information and how to register! 

What's Next, One Year After Sandy

Waves of Action Program Culminates with Distinguished Speakers,

Panel Discussions, and Sea Level Rise Survey Results

Full house at McLoone's Pier House in Long Branch

On Saturday, Clean Ocean Action (COA) held a conference with concerned citizens more than one year after Superstorm Sandy at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, New Jersey.

A celebration of the culmination of Waves of Action “For The Shore,” the year-long Sandy response program, the conference highlighted the extraordinary success of Waves of Action volunteers and project leaders, released results of a summer-long survey on sea level rise and accountability, and included panel discussions with distinguished speakers.  Panelists and speakers discussed, ‘What Do Communities Need Now and How Can Volunteers Help?’ and ‘What Resources are Available for Resiliency and Environmental Stewardship?’

One hundred and seventy three citizens were surveyed during the Clean Ocean Action Shore Tips (C.O.A.S.T.) campaign this past summer to garner public opinion about sea level rise and climate change, the impacts from Superstorm Sandy and what citizens believe elected officials and the general public should do in response to sea level rise and climate change.  The results are clear; the majority of the public believe that sea level rise exists and that a broad array of both citizen action and government action are needed to reduce the impacts.  Sea level rise survey and report by Macailagh McCue, 2013 C.O.A.S.T. Intern, 2014 Masters Candidate, James Madison University.

“Over the course of the past summer, COA’s sea level rise survey of the people of the Jersey Shore led to one inescapable conclusion – nearly everyone agrees the climate is changing, the sea is rising and that it’s up to us to make changes in our lives, communities and laws,” said Clean Ocean Action Coastal Policy Attorney Sean Dixon.

“New Jersey Recovery Fund grantees have been doing amazing work throughout the state of NJ to promote a recovery process that is transparent, sustainable, creative and equitable. They are currently serving as watchdogs, healers, educators and leaders to better prepare NJ for future disasters. I look forward to sharing more information about their work with conference participants,” stated Emilio DeLia, New Jersey Recovery Fund Project Manager.

“As the founder and editor of Jersey Shore Hurricane News, I not only report the daily news, but I'm also at the helm of a community of people primarily in Ocean and Monmouth counties. The platform is a community resource and has been intimately involved in the post-Sandy recovery. Accordingly, with the long-term recovery still in its early stages, our communities will continually require a strong communications coalition,” explained Founder of Jersey Shore Hurricane News Justin Auciello.

“Nature is tremendously resilient if given the chance and volunteers can make a big impact,” stated Save Barnegat Bay Executive Director Britta Wenzel.

“The challenge for homeowners that want to rebuild in a more sustainable manner is a lack of resources to support that decision. Many residents are struggling just to rebuild what they had, and often the additive cost of building a more resilient home is prohibitive. Government programs and flood insurance payments should provide additional resources to assist homeowners and businesses build a more sustainable shore community,” said Sea Bright Volunteer Coordinator Frank Lawrence.

"The need was unprecedented, as was the response. But we may just be looking at the tip of an iceberg in future years, an iceberg quickly melting into higher sea levels as it rushes our way," stated NJ Reporter for NBC New York Brian Thompson.

“As time goes on, Superstorm Sandy won’t be given as much media attention, which is why it is important that groups like Clean Ocean Action continue to advocate for what needs to be done in the future.  It is important to restore the shore, but it is most important to think long-term and prevent future damage,” explained US Representative Frank Pallone, New Jersey, 6^th District.

"Clean Ocean Action's comprehensive response to Hurricane Sandy, sea level rise, and extreme weather is impressive.  COA has been front and center engaging shore lovers at the grassroots, businesses, and elected officials to be proactive about our resiliency in the midst of climate change," said Lauren Townsend, NJ Director of US Strong. “Congratulations to COA's board, staff, and activists for accomplishing so much throughout 2013's Waves of Action, and thank you for your counsel and partnership advocating for national action, and the creation of a federal extreme weather relief and protection fund," added Townsend.

“Waves of Action ‘For the Shore’ was Clean Ocean Action coalition’s response to Superstorm Sandy. It has been a remarkable year of challenges and achievements, and there are thousands of stories of tenacity, compassion, resiliency and hope.  We believe the program must now evolve to help move toward restoration—minding the rules of Mother Nature and encouraging environmental stewardship.  Indeed, it’s not really a choice, it’s a mandate,” said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf.

Through Waves of Action “For The Shore,” almost 14,000 volunteers have helped to improve and protect the marine environment through 281 projects, with more than 125 different organizations, in over 70 towns in New York and New Jersey.  For more information, visit www.ForTheShore.org.

The Waves of Action Conference was sponsored by Whole Earth Center of Princeton, Montecalvo Recovery Facility, New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly.

The Waves of Action program was sponsored by Aveda, Bloomberg, Dave Matthews Band, Provident Bank Foundation, LUSH Cosmetics, Rebuild Recover, Mickey Hart Band, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, All-State Foundation, Spinach for Rip & Joe Schiavone Foundation, Eileen Fisher, Inc., The Harriet Greenfield Foundation.

Fall Into Action for the Jersey Shore Beach Sweeps

Over 65 Locations from Cape May County to Middlesex County

-Saturday, October 19, 2013-

Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites citizens and organizations to participate in the 28th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps as part of the Wave of Action on Saturday, October 19 at over 65 sites along the Jersey Shore.  A complete list of cleanup locations and times can be found at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to continue to integrate Beach Sweeps into the Waves of Action program, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Catie Tobin, Clean Ocean Action Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow.

The Beach Sweeps is much more than picking up trash, it’s about collecting data to help reduce sources of pollution.  Volunteers are instructed to record the quantity and types of debris found.   The information collected at the Sweeps is analyzed and published into annual reports.  These reports help identify pollution problems, aid legislators in enacting laws to protect our marine environment, and inform local, state and international efforts to combat marine pollution. COA will release the 2013 Annual Beach Sweep report mid-April, just in time for the spring Beach Sweeps. All reports are available online at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

COA encourages participation from volunteers of all ages individually or from businesses, families, and organizations. Volunteers are requested to pre-register by using the online sign-up form at www.CleanOceanAction.org.  Volunteers should wear gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes.  Volunteers can find a site near them from Cape May County to Middlesex County.  Click here for a complete list of sites.

A number of businesses partner with COA to sponsor the Beach Sweeps.  The Statewide Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Aveda and Bank of America.

“Aveda’s focus on environmental leadership and responsibility has led to years of collaboration with Clean Ocean Action to protect clean water.  Our vision of connecting beauty, environment, and well-being is showcased through partnerships with local organizations like Clean Ocean Action.  We look forward to continuing to defend life’s most precious natural resource – water,” stated Aveda Earth Fund Director Katie Galloway.

“Through Beach Sweeps, our teams of volunteers have assisted in cleaning-up trash and debris on New Jersey beaches, lakes, rivers and streams,” said Bob Doherty, New Jersey president, Bank of America.  “Clean Ocean Action offers people a chance to improve their environment and be part of a global effort to drive positive change.”

Statewide Sponsors include Aveda and Bank of America.  County Sponsors include Atlantic City Electric, BD, Brook 35 & West, Comcast Cares, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, The Grove, TD Bank, Shoprite Wakefern and United Teletech Financial. Site Sponsors include Adventure Aquarium - Ocean City 59th Street Pavilion, Baine Contracting - Brick Beach I, Brookdale Community College - Middletown Bayshore Waterfront Park, Enterprise Rent A Car - Sandy Hook, Kohl’s - Sandy Hook, New Jersey Natural Gas - Belmar 1st Avenue, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates - Loch Arbour/Allenhurst, Surfrider Foundation/Jersey Shore Chapter - Asbury Park North Beach, Surfrider Foundation/South Jersey Chapter - In Memory of Tommy Kraemer - Avalon.

FUNdraise

Support Beach Sweeps: raise $100 and receive a special gift.

Start your fundraiser at http://www.crowdrise.com/BeachSweeps.

Help Turn the Tide on Sea Level Rise with COA

Next week Clean Ocean Action will host two “Pizza Parties with a Purpose”.

The purpose? – To discuss seal level rise and how it is impacting the Jersey Shore and your community.

Seal level rise is posing a greater threat to the Jersey Shore than ever before. Our homes, local businesses, and marine life are all more vulnerable than they were a hundred years ago. Super-storm Sandy devastated our communities and forever changed our landscape. Though the storm was extreme, scientists have made it clear that we need to prepare for ongoing sea level rise, storm surges, and more frequent and severe storms in the future. We need to take action now to address these impacts.

So where do you come in?

These pizza parties will allow you to learn about how sea level rise is impacting New Jersey and the world. Furthermore, you will learn what you can do to help educate and motivate people to reduce the impacts of sea level rise and climate change. Come enjoy a night of free pizza and meet COA staff and other volunteers. They will discuss how you can become more involved with Clean Ocean Action, and help turn the tide on sea level rise!

Come to one of the following events to find out more:

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Ocean County Vocational Technical School: Toms River Center
1299 Old Freehold Road
Toms River, NJ 08753

Thursday, June 27, 2013 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Monmouth Beach Cultural Center
128 Ocean Ave, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750

To RSVP, please contact Macailagh McCue, COAST Coordinator at coast@cleanoceanaction.org

Start Off Your Summer Right: Volunteer to Help Communities Affected by Sandy

Calling All Volunteers!

Help Make a Difference in Coastal Communities After Sandy

Join Clean Ocean Action and over 15 other organizations, businesses and municipalities on Saturday, June 22nd for the Sixth
Wave of Action "For the Shore."

There are still projects in need of volunteers for June 22!

Projects in New Jersey:

Middlesex County
Old Bridge

Monmouth County

Sandy Hook
Spring Lake
Aberdeen

Long Branch

Neptune City
Bradley Beach

Ocean County

Island Beach State Park
Island Heights

Cape May County

Cape May

Projects in New York:

Staten Island

High School Intern Shares His Love for the Environment

Derek Noah – Middletown High School South – Class of 2013

I have been working with Clean Ocean Action as a high school intern for two weeks now and I have loved every minute of it. COA is just the place for me since I am a huge nature and environment enthusiast. I have seen what it takes to save the ocean and the environment. COA has shown me how to be a go getter and to never give up on the environment. They have also taught me that whatever I do, do it for the environment.

I found my love for the environment early in high school and have pursued it ever since. I like to bike, hike, kayak and I enjoy the outdoors more than my friends. In fact, my friends make fun of me for being an outdoors enthusiast but it does not bother me because I know I am doing something that I am passionate about. The beauty of nature is so overwhelming and serene. I love how our planet is now and I want to preserve it for the rest of the generations to come. I want to protect and save the earth from human destruction.

I am attending Allegheny College, PA in the fall and I plan on majoring in Environmental Studies. The ideal job for me would be to become an environmental consultant. I want to help companies decide, environmentally and economically, what is the best choice. I want to make an impact. I want to save the environment and help others at the same time.

Thank you Clean Ocean Action!

Superstorm Sandy Volunteer Opportunities - Saturday, May 18, 2013

CLEAN OCEAN ACTION URGES CITIZENS TO GET
‘BACK TO THE BEACH’

Volunteers to Help and Enjoy Beaches By Day,
Celebrate Their Success By Night – Saturday, May 18

WHO: Volunteers, businesses, groups, and elected officials who support clean ocean economies and ecosystems after Superstorm Sandy.

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 2013                

              Times vary, visit www.ForTheShore.org for site specific details

              Back to the Beach Ball Event 7-10 PM

WHAT: The May 18 Waves of Action are events that protect and promote the natural beauty of the coast as well as enticements to get people Back to the Beach, showcasing the New York and New Jersey shores.

In the evening, Clean Ocean Action is hosting the Back to the Beach Ball, a party to highlight and appreciate the thousands of Waves of Action volunteers and supporters.

WHERE:  Over 15 projects across New York and New Jersey from Staten Island, NY to Brigantine, NJ.  

Back to the Beach Ball to follow at Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel  1401 Oceanfront Avenue Asbury Park, NJ. Click here for a complete list of sites, meeting locations and party details.

                

WHY: COA continues to support the coalition of organizations, businesses, citizens and municipalities from Cape May to Montauk to help areas in need after Superstorm Sandy.  Waves of Action For The Shore will continue through 2013 with debris clean ups, sustainable development plans, projects to improve water quality, and events to get the public back to the beach. 

PHOTO OPS: Citizens of all ages picking up debris from our shore. Groups include scouts, school, church, employees, and organizations.  COA volunteers and supporters enjoying the party and dancing to the reggae music of Predator Dub Assassins.

See www.ForTheShore.org for sponsorship information and to purchase Back to the Beach Ball tickets.