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Barcelona beach cleanup Saturday

Submitted Photo Madelaine Geary, an aspiring marine biology student and recent graduate of University of Virginia, holds a collection bag for the International Coastal Clean Up. Geary will coordinate the Barcelona Beach Sweep Saturday.

WESTFIELD — On Saturday, Sept. 14, beginning at 1 p.m., Greystone Nature Preserve in conjunction with the Cassadaga Job Corps Center will be cleaning up the beach at Barcelona for the annual Beach Sweep. This event is sponsored by the Center for Marine Conservation and entails volunteers picking litter from the beach and recording each bit of it. The data sheets are then sent in to the Center for Marine Conservation in Washington, DC for tabulation. It is a concerted, international effort to find out what makes up the largest contingent of pollution in our area water and water around the world. Volunteers from all over the world participate in this program during the second week of September and send their information to the center. If traceable, the Ocean Conservancy will report the names and addresses of where the litter is originating from, in hopes to limit future offenses. This environmental effort is over 40 years old, helping scientists keep track of marine pollution over time. This will be the 20th year that Barcelona Beach, Westfield, has been patrolled by the Greystone Nature Preserve and its volunteers. This year Madelaine Geary will coordinate the efforts of Greystone and the Cassadaga Job Corps, and any other volunteers from the public who wish to partake. Beyond just cleaning the local environment, this event serves to educate students and members of the community about the impact of water pollution. It is an occasion to act locally and impact globally. Last year alone 7,053 volunteers participated, collecting 4,009 pounds of trash along more than 194 miles of shoreline. The public is encouraged to participate. Gloves, garbage bags, and data sheets will be provided.

Greystone Nature Preserve is a 72 acre nature sanctuary and not-for-profit environmental education facility located at 8135 Bear Lake Road. To pre-schedule a visit, class, personalized tour or rental; email clarkmoran@gmail.com or call 679-6603. More information is available on the website of greystonenaturepreserve.com or Facebook.

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