Volunteers needed coast-wide to turn the tide on trash!

AUSTIN - Volunteers are needed for the nation's biggest all-volunteer coastal cleanup Saturday, April 21. The 2018 Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Coast-wide Spring Cleanup takes place at 27 of Texas' most popular tourist beaches. Volunteers can sign up at one of the locations online at www.texasadoptabeach.org to take part in a fun-filled day at the beach that makes a difference.

"The Texas Coast is a go-to destination for vacationers from all over," said Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. "Travelers want to play in the sand under the Texas sun. Late last summer Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast, but the recovery is well underway and this is an opportunity for folks to pitch in and declare that the Texas coast is back in business. The Adopt-A-Beach program has been instrumental in keeping beaches clean for more than three decades, aiding tourism and commercial fishing industries while maintaining the coast for Texas families. The Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup is a great day at the beach for a great cause. There's no better way to get ready for summer season by cleaning up our Texas beaches at one of our 27 sites along the coast!"

Each volunteer will be given data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags. All volunteers are advised to wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking water. The Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Cleanups are held rain or shine!

Everyone who signs up online and checks in at their cleanup location will be entered to win a DOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth Portable Speaker or one of five RTIC 170 oz. stainless steel water bottles. The random drawing will take place after the cleanup. Winners will be contacted directly.

Texans who are not able to attend the cleanup can help keep their beaches clean by making a tax-deductible donation online at www.TexasAdoptABeach.org. There are several different Adopt-A-Beach sponsorship levels ranging from $25 to $25,000, allowing both individuals and corporations to contribute to this major cleanup effort.

Most trash found on Texas beaches is left there by litterbugs. The Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach program is an all-volunteer effort to remove trash from Texas' shores and to increase public awareness of the problems of marine debris and beach litter. Since the program began in 1986, more than 515,000 volunteers have removed more than 9,550 tons of trash from Texas beaches. Volunteers record data on the trash to learn more about the causes of marine debris and to help mitigate pollution along Texas' 367 miles of coastline. Coastal cleanups are held three times each year and the program's success is due to the hard work of volunteers, including local coordinators who work many unpaid hours publicizing the cleanups in coastal communities.