The Division of Coastal Zone Management will take part in the COASTWEEKS INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP, also known as COASTWEEKS, from Saturday, Sept. 21 to Saturday, Oct. 26, Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol announced.
This nationwide event, coordinated by The Ocean Conservancy, has played a crucial role
in environmental conservation in the Virgin Islands for the past 30 years, thanks to the
support of numerous community partners and the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory
Service, according to the press release.
“The removal of debris is essential for maintaining the vibrancy and aesthetic quality of
our ecosystems,” said Oriol. “Collecting data during cleanups is equally important as it helps us capture vital information, such as the types, quantities, and weight of debris removed. Without this data, simply removing debris does not effectively prevent or reduce future accumulation on our coastlines.”
CZM has designated the following beaches for this year’s cleanup:
• Lindbergh Beach on St. Thomas
• Columbus Landing, Salt River on St. Croix
DPNR is calling on the community for support. Student volunteers are encouraged to
participate and can earn community service hours, the press release stated.
The St. Thomas cleanup will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12, and the St. Croix
cleanup will happen on Saturday, Oct. 19. Both cleanups are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and supplies, including gloves, bags, and water, will be provided, the release stated.
For more information, please contact Zola Roper, Marine Debris Coordinator, at 340-
774-3320 ext. 5134 or via email at zola.roper@dpnr.vi.gov.
