Save the Sound joined with local volunteers and partners including sponsor Bank of America at 22 cleanup sites around the state today as part of the 28th annual International Coastal Cleanup.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Save the Sound day-of contact: Chris Cryder, 860-395-7016 (cell), ccryder@savethesound.org
Ocean Conservancy media contact: Jim Wintering, 202-280-6232, jwintering@oceanconservancy.org
SAVE THE SOUND AND VOLUNTEERS TAKE TO THE BEACH FOR INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP
NEW HAVEN, CT — Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, joined with local volunteers and partners including sponsor Bank of America at 22 cleanup sites around the state today as part of the 28th annual International Coastal Cleanup. This is Save the Sound’s eleventh year coordinating the Connecticut cleanups that help keep Long Island Sound’s beaches safe for people and wildlife. Ocean Conservancy, creator of ICC, works with groups in 100 countries and all 55 U.S. states and territories on this worldwide day of action for trash-free seas.
“The International Coastal Cleanup highlights the amazing cumulative impact that each of these community cleanups has on our planet,” said Curt Johnson, executive director of Save the Sound. “One cleanup on a local beach may be just a few people, but that adds up to thousands of volunteers across Connecticut…and hundreds of thousands worldwide. Together we’re making beaches cleaner for visitors, protecting wildlife from the dangers of litter, keeping toxins out of the marine food chain, and forging a deeper connection to our natural resources.”
Bank of America organized two cleanups, at Lighthouse Park in New Haven and Jennings Beach in Fairfield. Bank of America has helped make Save the Sound’s Coastal Cleanup program possible this year, and hosted a fall 2012 cleanup at Silver Sands State Park to help in the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.
“Save the Sound is doing critical work protecting some of our most vulnerable environmental treasures,” said Bill Tommins, Southern Connecticut market president, Bank of America. “We’re always glad to roll up our sleeves and pitch in for this important event.”
“The International Coastal Cleanup is a great event that, in addition to making New Haven Harbor a more healthy and beautiful place, brings people together. I am proud that New Haven residents continue to take part in this important activity,” said John DeStefano, Jr., Mayor of New Haven, CT.
“Jennings Beach is a wonderful coastal habitat that we need to preserve for residents to enjoy for years to come,” said Michael Tetreau, First Selectman of Fairfield, CT. “Today’s volunteers and organizers show us that small efforts, like picking up a piece of trash, can have a big impact on our environment when we all chip in.”
“Over the course of the International Coastal Cleanup, one thing is for sure: we have found a lot of trash—more than 10 million pounds last year,” said Amelia Montjoy, Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President of Resource Development. “But thanks to our partnership with Bank of America, going on 12 years, we have had tremendous participation in the cleanup, with much of that support coming directly from Bank of America associates. Ocean trash affects everything from our economy to our ecosystems—and it’s up to all of us to help fight it for the sake of future generations.”
“For the last six years, as part of “Make a Difference Day,” members of the New Haven Rotary Club have done their part to make the community a healthier place. We are thrilled to once again join Save the Sound and Bank of America to make a difference for Long Island Sound. Our members are proud to know that they are participating in a world-wide event that is designed to protect our planet,” said Sharon Sudusky of the New Haven Rotary Club.
In 2012, Save the Sound’s Coastal Cleanup program brought together 2,450 volunteers at 57 cleanups over the course of the year. Together they removed 16,310 pounds of trash from nearly 60 miles of Connecticut beaches and riverfronts. Volunteers track the trash they pick up and report the findings to Save the Sound, helping Ocean Conservancy and regional partners like Save the Sound to not only tackle marine debris on the beach, but combat it at the source to protect our oceans and coastline. Data will be collected at all 43 of Save the Sound’s cleanups scheduled for September and October. The cleanups include partners from Connecticut businesses, local community organizations, Boy Scouts, schools, and more, and span the state’s coastline from Greenwich to Mystic.
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A complete list of ICC cleanups in Connecticut is available on Save the Sound’s calendar.
Photographs of last year’s ICC in Connecticut are available in this public Facebook album.
For more information about ICC worldwide, please visit Ocean Conservancy’s page. For additional international statistics, graphics and photography, please contact Jim Wintering at jwintering@oceanconservancy.org or 202-280-6232.
