The Vineyard Conservation Society hosted the 23rd annual Earth Day beach cleanup this past Saturday. The event fell a little early this year, but that didn’t stop more than 200 volunteers from picking up trash from across 22 Island beaches. Islanders young and old, some independently and others as part of the 17 different local organizations that attended, helped to hand out trash bags and gloves for eager participants.
From the 22 beaches, 212 bags of trash were collected, with the top litter offenders being nip bottles, cigarette butts, plastic and styrofoam debris, balloon and strings, and plastic bags.
Unfortunately, significant amounts of large items, including fishing nets, rope, plastic barrels, bait buckets (one which may have originated in Greece), microwaves, deer carcasses, dead birds, and bagged dog poop were also discovered across the sand.
For the third consecutive year, the Harbor View graciously hosted over 100 people for lunch, where food was donated from Sharky’s, Isola, and the Wharf. Fun was had by all, especially the younger generation, who got to leave with a brand-new VCS Island Adventure Book, geared to getting children more engaged in their natural surroundings.
The day of environmental service reminded many that we all have a responsibility to the Island’s beaches, one of our most precious resources. For more ways you can help preserve the natural beauty of our Island home, visit vineyardconservation.org.