Despite bleak weather, volunteers pick up trash at beaches, rivers, parks

Florida Coastal Cleanup effort part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dozens of volunteers of all ages assisted in picking up trash along Northeast Florida shorelines Saturday morning as part of efforts by Florida Coastal Cleanup, a nonprofit part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

Nicole Lorenz and her group of high school friends are enrolled in marine biology.

“Everyone in Jacksonville loves to come to the beach and to repay the beach for letting us come and just stay and enjoy our weekends, we should clean up and protect Jacksonville,” Lorenz said.

Nor’easter conditions did not stop the group.

“We are here to save the planet and help save the turtles and pick up trash,” said volunteer Kayla Barakat.

The clean wasn’t only at the beach, but along rivers and parks across Jacksonville. Volunteers keep track of every piece of garbage that they find. Last year, more than 1,000 volunteers locally picked up nearly 9,000 pounds of trash.

“If there are any animals that get out here and they mistake it for food, they would probably choke on it and could get seriously injured,” said volunteer Max Sandhu.

The Timucuan Parks Foundation asked for volunteers to join them. TPF originated in 1999 with the Preservation Project Jacksonville Inc. to identify and assist in acquiring the most vulnerable and environmentally sensitive lands in Duval County. It is a nonprofit organization that preserves, promotes and protects Jacksonville’s natural areas.

The city of Jacksonville and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful are partnering with the cleanups to keep the shorelines as clean and healthy as possible.

Volunteers joined the cleanup by the pavilion by the pier at Reddie Point Preserve 4499 Yachtsman Way, or at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park at 500 Wonderwood Drive.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, precautions were taken. Cleanup groups were limited to 50, and masks were required except for children under 6 years old or for anyone with respiratory issues.

Additional 2020 Florida Coastal Cleanup locations in Jacksonville can be found at coj.net.

For more information about the Timucuan Parks Foundation, visit timucuanparks.org.