Who: Representatives from Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department, Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program staff and volunteers
What: As part of the 24th annual International Coastal Cleanup, the District’s SWIM Program staff is helping coordinate a volunteer work day at Marsh Creek in Ruskin. More than 100 volunteers are needed to help District staff remove abandoned boats, tires, television sets along with other trash and debris from the creek and surrounding property.
When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 a.m. to noon
Additional Information: Volunteers will meet in Ruskin’s Commongood Park, 121 1st Ave. N.W. Volunteers should dress for wet and dirty conditions and wear appropriate close-toed shoes or work boots. Other recommended items include: gloves, a hat and/or sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray and water. Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register with Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful at khcbonline.org or call 813-960-5121.
Marsh Creek is a habitat restoration project of the District’s SWIM Program and the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department.
The International Coastal Cleanup was started by the Ocean Conservancy. While cleanups are held year-round, the annual event held in September is the largest single-day volunteer effort of its kind.
District On-site Contact: Brandt Henningsen, District chief environmental scientist, 813-917-0108 (cell)
Directions: Commongood Park is one block west of U.S. Hwy. 41 in Ruskin.