ST. JOHNS/FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – It doesn’t take a lot of effort to make a big difference when it comes to beach cleanups and the environment, and on Saturday many hands made light work for the International Coastal Cleanup.
Thousands take part in the volunteer global cleanup each year, and 385 million pounds of trash and debris have been removed during the ICC since it began in 1986, according to the Ocean Conservancy.
Locally, the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Inc. works with partners to coordinate and publicize the event along the A1A coastal corridor in Flagler and St. Johns counties.
Working with groups like the Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation Foundation, Flagler Beach All-Stars, Flagler County Students Working Against Tobacco, the Girl Scouts, Flagler and St. Johns JROTC units, Rotary Club of Flagler Beach, Rotary Club of Flagler County’s Interact Clubs, the Hammock Community Association, Boston Whaler, University of Florida Surf Challenge, St. Augustine Beach Civic Association, Friends of Anastasia State Park, Friends of Gamble Rogers State Park, GTM NERR, Keep St. Johns County Beautiful, Rotary Club of Coastal St. Johns, the Knighted Team, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at University of Florida, this year’s event provided seamless coverage of the A1A Scenic Byway from a diverse mix of organizations, businesses, schools, and individuals.
“Not only is it important to have enough volunteers taking part in the effort to cover the 72-mile scenic byway, but seeing the wide variety of volunteers stepping forward, it’s easy to surmise that environmental issues are on the minds of just about everyone,” said Friends of A1A Byway Program Administrator Danielle Anderson.
“Representing this year is everyone from the professional gaming industry to the boating industry. You have civic organizations, next gen organizations, and universities. This is something everyone can be a part of and it doesn’t cost them anything but an hour or two of their time.”
“Whether it is a roadside cleanup, a beach cleanup or a beautification project, the Friends of A1A are grateful to everyone who steps up to help keep the A1A All-American Road beautiful, because from sea to shining sea, your efforts help ensure we live up to the words ‘America the Beautiful’.”
Find out more about the Friends of A1A by visiting www.ScenicA1A.org.
