Hundreds to participate in coastal clean up Saturday

NAPLES — Hundreds of cleaner-uppers are expected to turn out Saturday for the annual Coastal Cleanup in Collier County.

“It’s bigger and better than ever,” Keep Collier Beautiful executive director Cher Compton said this week.

She said this year’s event, set from 8 a.m. to 12 noon with new cleanup sites and new sponsors, is expected to draw up to 1,200 people.

At 20 pounds of trash per person, that’s 12 tons of trash.

Cleanup sites are planned at Pelican Bay beach, Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park, Vanderbilt Beach, Lowdermilk Park, Naples Pier, Bayview Park, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Tigertail Beach.

Volunteers also plan to be at Lee Cypress and Janes Scenic Drive in Copeland, Elrado Street and Alhambra Circle in the Twin Lakes neighborhood, Holly Avenue in East Naples, Golden Gate Parkway and 44th Street Southwest, the Green Boulevard canal from Sunshine Boulevard to 18th Avenue Southwest, the canal at White Boulevard and 39th Street Southwest and E's General Store in Golden Gate Estates.

Boats also are leaving from Cedar Bay Marina on Marco Island and Calusa Bay Marina on Goodland.

Volunteers can pitch in at one of the cleanup sites; groups of 10 or more should register with Keep Collier Beautiful first. Volunteers will get garbage bags, gloves, bottled water and a T-shirt while supplies last.

Sponsors include the Marine Industries Association of Collier County, T-Shirt Express, Whole Foods, Choice Environmental, Cabana Dan’s, Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, Waste Management, 1-800-GOT-JUNK and Ashbritt Environmental.

Saltwater Sports is offering kayaks for cleanups in Venetian Bay and Isles of Capri.

For more information or to register, call 239-580-8319 or litternot@earthlink.net.