Volunteers helping keep Jacksonville Beach clean after busy weekend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach is getting some major help to stay clean and trash free after a busy weekend, which is especially crucial since turtles’ nesting season is in full swing.

It spans from May to October. Volunteers from different groups all put in some work on Monday morning, and this comes on the heels of Father’s Day weekend and the conclusion of the three-day festival Orange Crush.

“It was just a good vibe, good music, good energy,” said one festival goer who spoke to Action News Jax.

He didn’t want to be named, but said he had been to the festival when it was in Tybee Island, and then in Jacksonville.

“What was your only complaint?” Action News Jax reporter Jessica Barreto asked. “Trash on the beach,” he responded. “Next time y’all come down here, pick up your damn trash.”

Before work, Nicole de Vengoge with the Surfrider Foundation came out as she does every Monday.

She says it’s especially critical to keep the coast clear for turtles nesting through October.

“They climb up in the night hours and the evening hours and obviously trash you don’t want any kind of obstacles,” she explained.

Here’s a look at what she found on Monday morning:

She comes across a lot of single-use plastic.

But the most common item she finds are cigarette butts.

“It’s definitely toxic,” she added.

Also out here, volunteers with the service industry - coming together to celebrate the beginning of summer.

“This is our first time doing this - as a little group,” said Candy Payson, owner of the bar, Ginger’s Place.

More than 150 volunteers from 20 businesses helped collect all bags of trash from the Jax Beach coast line and streets.

If you want to join the effort, besides picking up your own trash, the Surfrider Foundation also has beach cleanups the last Saturday of every month.

The next one is coming up on June 26th from 9 am to 11 under the Surfrider tent on the north side of the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Buckets and gloves will be provided.

You can check their Facebook page or Instagram account (@surfrider_firstcoast) for updates.

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