Volunteers clean beaches for Earth Week

PROVIDENCE – Nearly 500 volunteers collected 7,783 pounds of trash during Earth Week beach cleanups organized by Save The Bay.
Founded in 1970, Save The Bay works to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed, fostering advocacy, restoration and education. Earth Day is April 22 and that week is celebrated as “Earth Week.”
The 495 volunteers performed the cleanups at Easton’s Beach in Newport, Bold Point in East Providence, Salty Brine Beach in Narragansett, Field’s Point in Providence and Rocky Point Park in Warwick.
“Our Earth Day cleanup turnout was amazing this year,” said Volunteer and Internship Manager July Lewis. “People are so enthusiastic to join with their neighbors and make a visible difference in the health of their beaches. This is how we clean up the bay – together, one piece of litter at a time.”
Lewis added that these actions should help to inform the public that “it is never okay to leave trash on the beaches. Trash is ugly, unsanitary and dangerous to wildlife. Whether you are fishing, walking or swimming at the shore, please leave it clean for everyone to enjoy.”
In addition, Save the Bay hosts cleanups throughout the season, and coordinates Rhode Island’s International Coastal Cleanup, this year on Sept. 19.
The Ocean Conservancy’s coastal cleanup is the largest global seaside volunteer effort, bringing 650,000 volunteers worldwide together to clean up the world’s oceans and shorelines. Last year in Rhode Island, 2,101 volunteers supported 80 beach cleanups covering 59 miles of shoreline.

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