Coastal cleanup seeking volunteers

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. – Volunteers are needed to take part in this month’s coastal cleanup event in Okaloosa County, which includes beaches in the Fort Walton Beach and Destin areas.

Saltwater Restaurants and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism is hosting the local International Coastal Cleanup event on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

For over 35 years, Ocean Conservancy has held the International Coastal Cleanup, a global event that prides itself in “harnessing the power of people to fight ocean trash.”

The goal of the local cleanup is to remove trash and debris from area beaches. There are multiple locations where volunteers of all ages can participate. Join the local effort at any of the below cleanup locations by registering here.

• The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island (1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Fort Walton Beach, FL)
• The Crab Trap/James Lee Park (3500 Scenic HWY 98, Destin, FL)
• The Surf Hut (551 Scenic Gulf Dr, Miramar Beach, FL)
• Norriego Point (1 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, FL)
• Mattie Kelly Park & Joe’s Bayou (825 Beach Dr, Destin, FL)
• Henderson Beach State Park (17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL)

Participants will receive an event t-shirt (limited quantities, first come, first served), and a post-cleanup breakfast will be available free of charge at The Boardwalk, The Crab Trap, and The Surf Hut locations, organizers said.

Volunteers are asked to bring their own bucket, mesh bag, gloves, and grabbers to collect trash. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water and sunscreen.

“When we come together as a community, we help keep our beaches pristine and allow for native wildlife to thrive,” said Mel Ponder, Chairman of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners.

“We are fortunate to have a Coastal Resource division in our Tourist Development Department dedicated to this cause.”

Volunteers removed over 2,000 pounds of garbage and over 1,000 cigarette butts during the most recent event, organizers said.

“Beach cleanups not only keep our beaches beautiful for visitors, but they create a safe environment for our wildlife,” said Jessica Valek, Coastal Resource Coordinator, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism.

“Certain animals, like sea turtles and shorebirds, rely on our beaches to lay their eggs and protect their young. The International Coastal Cleanup is a great way to bring the community together and do good for the environment,” she said.

After the cleanup, the conservation fun continues with the Choctawhatchee Bay Family FUN-FEST held at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hosted by the Choctawhatchee Estuary Program, the event celebrates National Estuaries week and guests will enjoy food vendors, activities for kids, local vendors, and door prizes.

Event sponsors are The Boardwalk, Crab Trap, Okaloosa County, Visit South Walton, City of Destin, Ocean Conservancy, Florida State Parks, Florida Sea Grant Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, Surf Hut, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Emerald Coast Science Center, Step One Automotive, Gulfarium, Divers Down Pollution Project, Destin Brewery, Waste Management, Saneka’s Legacy, and Keep Florida Beautiful, organizers said.

For more information on Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, please visit www.destinfwb.com