By Doug Alderson
The annual International Coastal Cleanup brings Franklin Countians and friends together like few other events, and this year was no different. From Bald Point to St. George to Apalachicola to St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, 215 volunteers spread out to make our scenic shorelines even more beautiful, and to reduce hazards to wildlife.
Organized by Apalachicola Riverkeeper and spearheaded by Susan Macken of the staff, partners included Keep Franklin County Beautiful, Forecastle Foundation, SGI Trash Patrol, Conservation Pathways, Franklin County Waste, and area state parks. There were 17 different cleanup locations, and volunteers picked up 4,350 pounds of trash, ranging from derelict crab traps to beach umbrellas. Finding strange novelty type items added intrigue to the cleanup. This year, cleanup artisans found a paint roller in a Halloween bucket, a barnacle-encrusted child’s plastic lawn mower, a wheelchair footrest, a surfboard, Sambar deer antlers (on St. Vincent, of course), a remote-control boat, and a black sequined blouse. But, drumroll please, the award for the most unusual item goes to the group cleaning up Eastpoint west of the fishing pier. Part of a prosthetic arm was found! Rumor has it that it once belonged to Blackbeard the Pirate.
The Bald Point group found at least a dozen derelict crab traps washed up on the beach, and the Alligator Point group removed 1,000 pounds of boards from docks, likely from past storms. Old school chairs were found at Seafood Landing Park and Two Mile just west of Apalachicola, and the Carrabelle group collected furniture, campaign signs and a mattress. Two groups found fire extinguishers. Of course, there were thousands of pieces of smaller trash removed ranging from cigarette butts to plastic bags, trash that can be fatal to wildlife such as birds and sea turtles if swallowed. And discarded fishing line was found as well, something that can entangle wildlife.
Besides the feeling of goodwill and community spirit that the cleanup inspires, the Lanark volunteers were treated to breakfast by the Lanark Boat Club, a practice that has endured for several years. Other groups that pitched in included Franklin County Scout Troop 22 and the Cadet Core at Franklin County School.
Organizer Susan Macken said, “Ada Long was our Franklin County hero, who organized this effort for over a decade. Sadly, we lost Ada to illness and we dearly miss her. We are proud that her legacy of spending a few hours in community work with others makes a tremendous impact for our water and coastlines. Ada told us, ‘The natural world we live in is the greatest gift we have.’ We agree wholeheartedly. And we’re grateful for the volunteers who make a real difference!”
So, if you missed out on this year’s coastal cleanup, circle the third Saturday in September on your calendar because that is the usual day selected. And please remember that a coastal cleanup can occur any time you venture to the beach or shore!
Please note that Apalachicola Riverkeeper sponsors monthly cleanups at the Mill Pond in Apalachicola and periodic cleanups elsewhere in the basin. Join the volunteer team! Here’s how.
