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Coastal Cleanup Set For Sept. 20

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2008

TAMPA - Marine debris and other litter left along Central Florida's shorelines can kill birds, turtles, fish and more. And it's an eyesore.

In an effort to reverse the problem, Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful and The Ocean Conservancy team up again this year for the International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 20, sending volunteers to shorelines throughout the region to pick up what others have left behind.

"The Coastal Cleanup is a great opportunity for residents to come together and participate in an event that takes place on an international level," said Christine Commerce, executive director of Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful.

Volunteers will hit 18 sites in Hillsborough County, including five in the South Shore area and three in the Brandon area between 8 a.m. and noon in an effort to protect waterways and wildlife.

Volunteers can register or get information at www .oceanconservancy.org/icc or www.KHCBonline.org.

Last year, some 3,455 volunteers cleaned 107 miles of shoreline and roadways, collecting 67,782 pounds of trash in Hillsborough County. A toilet, an autographed baseball, a 50-year-old Clorox bottle and a flat-screen television were among the debris.

On a sadder note, volunteers found 237 dead animals, including two ducks that had become entangled in fishing line at south Tampa's Picnic Island Park and along the Hillsborough River.

"Marine debris often causes casualties," Commerce said. "Our marine life doesn't always know the difference between trash and food, but we do. And we're the only ones who can prevent it from happening in the first place."

Volunteers should bring work gloves, sun screen, a hat, sun glasses, closed-toe shoes, insect repellant and water. Trash bags will be provided and T-shirts and giveaways will be handed out.

COASTAL CLEANUP SITES

• 22nd St. and Causeway Boulevard, check-in location at the old Seabreeze restaurant east of the Licata Bridge, Tampa

• Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, 6767 Surfside Blvd., Apollo Beach
• Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, 4140 24th St. S.E., Ruskin

• Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve, 3709 Gulf City Road, Ruskin (pre-registration required, as canoes are limited)

• Common Good Park, 121 Second St., Ruskin

• Courtney Campbell Parkway, check-in at access road entrance just east of the boat ramp

• Cypress Point Park, 5620 Cypress St., West Shore area

• Gandy Bridge and Friendship Trail, check-in for both at boat ramp

• Gardenville Recreation Center, 6219 Symmes Road, Gibsonton

• Harbour Island, Island Place Condominiums, entrance at the intersection of Knights Run Avenue and South Beneficial Drive

• Hillsborough Community College, Dale Mabry campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa

• Hillsborough River, 1910 Ola Ave., Tampa

• Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 U.S. 301 N., Thonotosassa

• Lithia Springs Park, dead end of Spring Road, Lithia

• Lutz Trash Bash, Old Lutz School House, 18819 N. U.S. 41, Lutz

• McKay Bay Park, check in at sheriff's substation, 7460 Palm River Road

• Reese's Fish Camp, 11502 Thonotosassa Road, Thonotosassa

• Shimberg Park, 7001 Armand Drive, Town 'N Country

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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