The Maine Coastal Program is a division of the state’s Department of Marine Resources. The program is responsible for collaborating with various partners as a means of preserving healthy, environmentally sound coastal communities. Members of the Maine Coastal Program are also tasked with managing the single most popular volunteer day in the state, the annual Coastal Cleanup.
The state of Maine features about 228 miles of coastline, though the tide coastline of inlets and bays is a much larger 3,478 miles. The Coastal Cleanup initiative, which is wholly dependent on volunteer support from the people of Maine, is a government-organized push to clear debris, trash, and other detritus from beaches and surrounding coastal environments.
The Coastal Cleanup was observed as a single day during Coastweek until 2020, when the event evolved into a month-long celebration of Maine’s beautiful coastal lands. The cleanup project’s 150 sites include Cousins Island Beach in Yarmouth, Back Cove in Portland, and Cape Elizabeth at Crescent Beach State Park.
Individuals interested in taking part in the Coastal Cleanup event should visit maine.gov. The website includes a form for those who wish to organize a local cleanup effort. Cleanups are coordinated across 150 coastal sites. Individuals should be aware that the event is so popular that signup usually closes shortly after registration opens. Coordinators tell program leaders whether they require help gathering volunteers for their site. Program leaders provide additional insight, such as suggested attire for volunteers and tips for staying hydrated.
Registration for the 2023 Coastal Cleanup began on July 5, about two months before the start of the event. Any person concerned about their ability to secure a volunteer spot in 2024 or subsequent years can look into similar opportunities. The Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, for example, supports various cleanup efforts and restoration projects all year long. Many jurisdictions, such as the City of Rockland, host similar community cleanup events during other times of the year, such as on Earth Day.
Individuals can also take the initiative to clean up a nearby coastal environment at any time of year. Rehabilitation projects may be general or can focus on removing trash or protecting wildlife. Other “cleanups” are more proactive and prioritize collecting data for related marine debris research and advocacy projects.
Volunteers should consult with local authorities to ensure the safest, most effective cleanup possible. Authorities can also notify volunteers about potential legal complications, such as cleaning parts of a beach that are closed to the public. Individuals should not underestimate the effort it takes to plan for a coastal cleanup. A few critical supplies include sealable trash bags of various sizes, hand sanitizer and facemasks, sunscreen and bug spray, first aid kits, and instruments to help gather trash, such as kitchen tongs.
Maine’s Coastal Cleanup initiative started more than three decades ago as an extension of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) program. Managed by the Ocean Conservancy, it is the world’s largest oceanic preservation and protection event. The ICC website, oceanconservancy.org, provides individuals with everything they need to know about the importance of a clean ocean habitat and how to take action, including access to the ICC Do-It-Yourself Cleanup Kit.
