SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Volunteers are signing up for what is being billed as the nation’s biggest annual, all-volunteer coastal cleanup campaign.
It’s the 30th Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup on Saturday, sponsored by the Texas General Land Office.
Land Commissioner George P. Bush will attend a special kickoff event at Andy Bowie Park.
Bush, along with Cameron County Judge Pete Sepulveda and South Padre Island Mayor Barry Patel, will address the cleanup volunteers before they head to the beaches.
A brief ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at Andy Bowie Park, Beach Access #2, Highway 100.
“Sign up now to join forces with thousands of other Texans who care about the coast,” Bush said. “Marine debris kills wildlife and hurts tourism, but it’s a problem we can fix. Come out and be a part of the solution on Saturday.”
Each volunteer will be given data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags. All volunteers are advised to wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking water. The Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Cleanups are held rain or shine.
Texans who are not able to attend the cleanup can help keep their beaches clean by making a tax-deductible donation online at www.TexasAdoptABeach.org.
There are several different Adopt-A-Beach sponsorship levels ranging from $25 to $25,000, allowing both individuals and corporations to contribute to this major cleanup effort.
Everyone who signs up online and checks in at their cleanup location will be entered to win any one of the following:
– Yeti Tundra 45 cooler
– GoPro HERO4 Session HD Waterproof Action Camera
– Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 instant camera (one in pink and one in blue)
The random drawing will take place after the cleanup. Winners will be contacted directly.
The 2016 Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup is sponsored by SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, Schlumberger, Keep Texas Beautiful, Corona Del Mar Properties and Trusted Senior Specialists.
To learn more about the Adopt-A-Beach program, visit www.TexasAdoptABeach.org or contact the GLO at 1-877-TX COAST. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/texasadoptabeach or follow us on Twitter @TXAdoptABeach.
This year’s campaign will take place at three sites in the Rio Grande Valley.
Here are the check-in sites:
– Cameron County Parks beaches, Andy Bowie Park, Access Road #2, Highway 100.
– South Padre Island city beaches, Beach Access #3, Gulf Blvd. between Palm Street and Corral Street.
– Boca Chica Beach, End of Highway 4 at the beach.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and the cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to noon.
– Volunteers can sign up online at www.TexasAdoptABeach.org or show up on-site Saturday morning to take part in a fun-filled day at the beach that makes a difference.
