7th Annual UF/IFAS Extension Coastal Cleanup

By: Brittany Scharf, Marine Agent III with UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County and Florida Sea Grant

Gear up for the 7th Annual UF/IFAS Coastal Cleanup in Hernando County!

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Check-in Location: Linda Pedersen Park (6340 Shoal Lind Blvd., Spring Hill)Pre-registration:https://2023coastalcleanup.eventbrite.ca

Each year, hardworking volunteers remove trash from Hernando’s coastal systems. Since 2016, Hernando participants have gathered over 32,340 pieces of debris. Many of these items originate from land-based and water-based activities, and heavy rains and winds facilitate the debris pathways into our coastal systems. We must work together throughout the year to prevent the trash from polluting these systems and endangering wildlife.

This event is open to all ages and is an excellent opportunity for youth to earn volunteer hours! Participants who decide to clean our waterways must provide their own vessels. We ask that all volunteers check in at our Linda Pedersen Park station to complete paperwork and obtain collection supplies. To save time, volunteers may also complete their paperwork online at the website referenced above.

Yes, we will separate recycling from garbage and count every piece! All trash much be returned to our Linda Pedersen location to ensure proper disposal.

Because of our generous sponsors, the first 150 volunteers to check in the morning of the cleanup will receive a free t-shirt! Please note, pre-registration does not guarantee a t-shirt. Trash bags, gloves, snacks, water, and freebies will be available for all volunteers to pick up at the Linda Pedersen station.

Thank you to this year’s sponsors: Bayside Auto Works, Get Up and Go Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach Property Owners Association, Coastal Hernando Business Group, Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Coca-Cola Florida, The Weaver Group Realty Inc., Weeki Wachee Marina, Sterling Marina, Hernando Beach Marina, Blue Pelican Marina, Our Beach Store, and Home Depot.

For more information, contact Brittany Scharf ([email protected]).

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.