Monthly Clean Ups Keep the Beach Beautiful

Have you noticed how beautiful the Marco Island beach is? It is a jewel along the Gulf Coast of Florida and we want to keep it that way! Assisting the City of Marco Island’s Beach Advisory Committee in this month’s beach clean up was staff from local businesses: Mutual of Omaha Bank and Gratkowski Painting.

Up early on Sunday, February 20th, on a near perfect day, a dozen volunteers showed up to scour the beach for trash. Items found littering the beach were beer bottles, bottle caps buried in the sand, cans and small plastic wrappers.

Kevin Donlan, Chairman of the Beach Advisory Committee and store manager of Publix, donated bags, gloves and bottled waters during the four hour clean up. Bernardo Bezos, member

of the Beach Advisory Committee and Marco Island Civic Association Beach Committee, provided assistance on the beach “gator” vehicle; carrying the water for volunteers, collecting the full garbage bags for disposal, and ensuring safety.

The next monthly beach clean up is schedule for Sunday, March 20th at 800 AM starting at the South Beach Access boardwalk. The City of Marco Island staff is participating in this event. All public is encouraged and welcome to attend. If students or groups need to accrue volunteer hours, this is a great opportunity to earn three or four hours while exercising and enjoying the beautiful beach.

For more information on beach clean ups and beach projects, please contact Nancy Richie, Environmental Specialist, City of Marco Island at 2329-389-5003 or nrichie@cityofmarcoisland.com.