JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Saturday’s cleanup efforts at the Harborview Boat Ramp are part of the International Coastal Cleanup Event. Volunteers there told Action News Jax that this was their little way of giving back to the River City.
“Yes, a small but mighty group,” said Boat Ramp cleanup leader Toinette Wells from the St. Johns River Keeper.
Wells, a handful of volunteers, and a stray dog cared for by park-goers gathered at the Harborview boat ramp on the Ribault River to collect bags full of trash.
“So basically anything that’s not part of the natural environment I’m pretty inclined to pick up. I mean if it doesn’t grow there it’s kind of going in the bag,” said volunteer Rob Ryan.
Why did they feel compelled to hunt for trash on a Saturday morning?
“Have you seen Jacksonville? It’s important for me because I have a granddaughter...it’s a distraction from the river,” said Wells.
The event, led by International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), partners with organizations across the globe to clean up the earth’s waterways. ICC says it’s collected more than 400 million pounds of trash since its 1986 founding. While it’s a worldwide event, Wells would like to see more locals.
“One of them is from Arkansas, someone is from New York,” Wells noticed. “What is controversial or what’s interesting is that we can’t get enough community engagement in the neighborhood,” Wells went on to point out.
Kareen Guillux is in the Navy. She says service is a great way to combat individualism.
“I think nowadays people are very individualistic and we tend to be doing our own thing, on our phone, so once in a while I think it’s good to just go out and give back to your community,” said Guillux.
“I’ve fished all my life, so it’s my way to give back to a resource that I’ve kind of utilized,” said Ryan.
The event spanned the following locations across Jacksonville:
Oceanfront 7- 9 AM:
- 8th Avenue North
- 16th Avenue South
- Atlantic Boulevard
- Beach Boulevard
- Seagate/20th Avenue South
St. Johns Riverkeeper 9- 11 AM:
- Charles Reese Park
- Harborview Boat Ramp
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