Cedar Key's 41st Coastal Cleanup Needs Volunteers Sept. 19

For more than 20 years, Cedar Key residents have rolled up their sleeves to protect their beloved Gulf Coast shoreline, and this September they're inviting everyone to join them.

The 41st Annual International Coastal Cleanup happens September 19 from 8 a.m. to noon at Cedar Key City Park. No registration required, just show up ready to make a difference.

Volunteers can check in starting at 7:30 a.m. to grab supplies and get assigned a cleanup area. Groups of 10 or more should email Emily Colson at emilycolson@ufl.edu so organizers can ensure enough materials for everyone.

This isn't just about picking up trash. Volunteers will also document what they find using paper cards or the Clean Swell mobile app, contributing to a global database that helps scientists and communities understand pollution patterns and develop solutions.

The collected data joins information from cleanup events worldwide as part of the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. Researchers use these insights to identify marine debris trends and create strategies to reduce ocean pollution at its source.

Cedar Key's cleanup locations include muddy ditches, marshes, and coastal habitats where debris tends to accumulate. Volunteers should wear clothes they don't mind getting dirty, closed-toe shoes or boots, and bring work gloves, sunscreen, a hat, water, and bug spray.

The Ripple Effect

Every piece of trash removed from Cedar Key's coastline protects local wildlife and keeps pollution out of the Gulf of Mexico. The data volunteers collect travels far beyond Florida, informing global conservation efforts and policy decisions that could prevent marine debris from entering oceans in the first place.

When volunteers return their completed data cards and collected trash, they'll receive a complimentary event T-shirt and lunch while supplies last. T-shirts go out first-come, first-served starting at 11:30 a.m.

One morning of work helps protect the place Cedar Key residents call home while contributing to ocean conservation efforts that span the globe.