Where’s the beach? The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and the Two Rivers Parks and Recreation 
Department, sponsors of the Manitowoc and Two Rivers, WI, September 16, 2009 Beach Sweep, were amazed to find once sandy areas under crashing shoreline waves. Adventurous volunteers enjoyed the challenge of taking off flip flops and wading to areas where trash could be collected and tallied. Others scaled rocks to participate in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup or Wisconsin’s Coastal Awareness Month ensuring a living resource for generations.
Last year, nearly 400,000 volunteers collected more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries and 42 US states during the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup — the world’s largest volunteer effort of its kind.
While cigarette butts had the highest number of tallies, volunteers also found and logged these unique items among the 60 pounds collected this year:
- fireworks
- bullet casing
- moldy bread
- sock and shoes
- ear phones and wires
- more than a little styrofoam
Fortunate to have over 1,000 miles of shoreline on Lakes Michigan and Superior, the state of 
Wisconsin recognizes that water is a vitally important natural, cultural and economic resource. Kae DonLevy is responsible for supplying the Beach Sweep Kit: bags, gloves, data cards and instructions.
What are some of your good memories at a beach, underwater harbor, marina, river or lake?