On Saturday a rescheduled September Coastal Cleanup drew many intrepid volunteers to Tod’s Point, braving the persistent rain.
The cleanup in Old Greenwich was part of global initiative with the goal of bringing the community together for a day of environmental stewardship.
All non-biodegradable trash removed from the shoreline was tallied and reported to Save the Sound who will submit the data to the Ocean Conservancy, which collaborates with organizations worldwide to analyze pollution in the Earth’s waters.
Kanako MacLennan and Mary Hull from Greenwich Green & Clean at the Coastal Cleanup. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Steve Meskers (D-150), whose district includes Greenwich’s entire shoreline, said he nearly had his Timberland boots sucked off his feet in the muck.
“But I’ve rescued what the famous Susie Baker told me was a billet, which are six foot tall flotation Styrofoam pieces under our docks – typically wrapped in plastic casing.”
“In addition to that, I collected up a bucket of mucky, plastic bottles, Doritos and assorted chips bags, the caps for drink bottles, water bottles and a large number of pieces of plastic debris.”
State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) at the coastal cleanup with Styrofoam buoyancy billet. Oct 21, 2023
GHS students Annabelle Elkin from the GHS Environmental Action Club and Jacklyn Pizzella who is starting a non-profit with Sameera Madan called Leaders of the Next Generation, shared information at the coastal cleanup. Oct 21, 2023
At the event GHS senior Annabelle Elkin from the school’s Environmental Action Club, regulars at all the beach cleanups, said the club continued to be advised by GHS science teacher Robert Conlan.
She shared a tent with GHS junior Jacklyn Pizzella who is starting a non profit called Leaders of the Next Generation with Sameera Madan.
On Saturday morning they were accepting donations to help defray the costs of creating their 501(c)3.
Their mission is to provide all children with access to education, particularly environmental education, through community programs to help youth apply what they know to the real world.
Their goal is to raise $1,000 by September 2024 for organizations that support education for youth.
Leaders of the next Generation also offer free tutoring services for ages 5 to 15.
“Get your kid tutored by high school students in math, science, writing and reading,” their poster said. They also offer tutoring online during the week, depending on the child’s and tutor’s availability. Also, every Sunday at Greenwich Library there will be an optional time for each child and tutor to meet between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.
Kanako MacLennan from Greenwich Green & Clean, Julie DesChamps from Waste Free Greenwich, Ethan Pond and Sally Davies from Green & Clean brave the rain at the Coastal Cleanup. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ethan Pond with Danielle Jean-Guillaume Sittol, the Youth Services Bureau Administrator for the Town of Greenwich at the Coastal Cleanup. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Green & Clean’s Mary Hull with State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) whose district includes Greenwich’s entire shoreline. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Kanako MacLennan and Mary Hull from Greenwich Green & Clean with Rebecca Poirier and Aleksandra Moch from the Town’s Conservation Commission at the Coastal Cleanup. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Atsohiko and Takahiko Fujita with their father Hikotaro braved the rain for the beach cleanup. The family who are from Tokyo, Japan said they frequently enjoy the beach in the summer and were motivated to take care of it despite the rain. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Inside a red bucket, plastic collected in just five minutes by the Fujita family during the coastal cleanup at Tod’s Point. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Anna Rhodes and Sophia Vicente, sophomores at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, traveled all the way to Old Greenwich from Fairfield for the coastal cleanup. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Partners in the cleanup effort:
Friends wander down the beach collecting debris during the coastal cleanup. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager