Blue Lagoon Island cleanup draws 500 volunteers at Yamacraw Beach

Blue Lagoon Island’s Project B.E.A.C.H. brought more than 500 volunteers to Yamacraw Beach on Sept. 19 for the 41st International Coastal Cleanup, removing more than 1,200 pounds of debris. The effort paired community cleanup with data collection that will feed Ocean Conservancy’s marine pollution research and support broader conservation efforts in The Bahamas.

Why it matters: - The cleanup removed litter from a key New Providence shoreline and turned volunteer work into research data for Ocean Conservancy. - The effort also reinforced local education around marine conservation and the impact of everyday waste on Bahamian beaches. - Blue Lagoon Island used the event to advance Project B.E.A.C.H., its year-round sustainability and environmental education program.

What happened: - Blue Lagoon Island’s Project B.E.A.C.H. led the 41st annual International Coastal Cleanup at Yamacraw Beach on Saturday, Sept. 19. - More than 500 volunteers took part in the cleanup from 8 to 10 a.m. - Students, youth organizations, corporate partners and community volunteers worked along the shoreline to collect and sort litter. - The event was part of the global International Coastal Cleanup led by Ocean Conservancy.

The details: - Volunteers collected more than 1,200 pounds of debris, totaling nearly 5,000 items. - The waste included glass and plastic bottles, metal cans, plastic bags and food wrappers. - The collected data will contribute to Ocean Conservancy’s annual research on the sources and scope of marine pollution. - Participants included the Governor General’s Youth Award, Boys’ Brigade, St. Andrew’s International School Eco Club, Eco-Schools Bahamas, Temple Christian School Eco Club, Aquinas College, Doris Johnson Senior High School, Rotary International, Team Z from Zane Lightbourne Team, Yamacraw Urban Renewal and Girl Guides. - Corporate sponsors and community partners included Bahamas Waste, Bahamas Wholesale Agencies, Coca-Cola Circular Seas, ALIV, Fun Foods Wholesale Ltd., Marco’s Pizza, Rubis Bahamas, Sandals Foundation, Sandy Toes, Suntee, J.S. Johnson Insurance Agents & Brokers and Garnier. - Blue Lagoon Island said Project B.E.A.C.H. stands for Bahamas Education of Animals and Conservation of Habitat. - The program supports cleanups and educational initiatives focused on The Bahamas’ marine ecosystems. - More information on Blue Lagoon Island and its animal programs is available at the company’s website.

Between the lines: - The cleanup showed how environmental events can double as civic engagement, especially with strong youth participation. - Shelton Burrows, chairman of the 12-member Yamacraw Urban Renewal Advisory Board, said the board appreciates Blue Lagoon Island and its business partners for choosing Yamacraw Beach and expects ongoing maintenance at Stokes Cabana with ENV Launch. - Burrows also said the event highlighted youth volunteering, positive activity, nation-building and civic pride. - Te-Shalla Clarke, Blue Lagoon Island’s education and sustainability officer, said each piece of debris removed is a step toward healthier coastlines and that the event helps participants understand how daily choices affect the marine environment. - Snovakia Watson, public relations manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian, said environmental conservation and stewardship are central to the Sandals Foundation’s work and described International Coastal Cleanup as a platform for public action. - Watson added that Blue Lagoon Island Bahamas and its volunteers are helping protect the region’s marine ecosystem one coastline at a time. - Kevin Bowe, a 12th-grade student at Aquinas College and an Environmental Club member, said the amount of garbage he saw on the beach showed the need for more environmental responsibility.

What's next: - Blue Lagoon Island said Project B.E.A.C.H. will continue organizing cleanups and educational initiatives throughout the year. - The broader International Coastal Cleanup effort will continue documenting trash on beaches and waterways to help identify pollution sources and encourage behavior changes. - The Yamacraw Beach cleanup data will be folded into Ocean Conservancy’s annual research. - Blue Lagoon Island and local partners are expected to build on the cleanup with ongoing maintenance at Stokes Cabana.

The bottom line: - The event paired visible local cleanup with global pollution tracking, giving Bahamian volunteers a direct role in both shoreline protection and marine research.