Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

September 14, 2007

Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Cathy Jimenez
518.486.1868

State Parks Join In Annual International Beach Cleanup

27 New York State Parks to Participate

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash today announced that 27 state parks will participate in a state-wide beach cleanup on Saturday, September 15, 2007 as part of the 22nd Annual Intercoastal Cleanup.

"State Parks is proud to participate in the Annual Intercoastal Cleanup and join in the global effort to protect and care for our waterways and increase awareness and appreciation of our coastal environment," said Ash. "I want to thank the many volunteers across the state for taking an active role in the stewardship of our public lands and for working to ensure that our natural resources are preserved for future generations."

Developed by the Ocean Conservancy in 1986, the Annual Intercoastal Cleanup is the world's largest one-day volunteer effort to remove trash and debris from beaches and waterways. The mission of the annual cleanup is to identify sources of debris, to change behaviors that cause pollution, and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the coastal environment. The data gathered from the cleanup is used to educate citizens on the sources and extent of marine debris. Events take place throughout the United States and in over 90 countries around the world.

The annual coastal cleanup is coordinated in New York by the American Littoral Society, a national, non-profit environmental organization concerned with issues that effect the coastal environment. In 2006, over 10,175 volunteers cleaned and documented over 272,157 pounds of debris at 338 sites across the state. Volunteers include local environmental groups, schools, scout organizations, private corporations, and civic associations.

In New York, the majority of debris found originated from land-based recreational activities such as beachgoers, picnics, sporting events and festivals. Cigarettes, food wrappers, caps and lids account for nearly half of all the debris items collected. In addition, more than 45,000 plastic and glass bottles were recovered during the course of the cleanup.

Ash noted that the over the past two decades the bottle bill has proven to be an effective recycling program and through an expanded bottle bill we can increase environmental programs to ensure the further protection of our coastal environment.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks, 35 historic sites, and 77 developed beaches. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com.

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The following is a list of State Parks participating in the 22nd Annual Intercoastal Cleanup day on September 15, 2007:

• Central Region
• Oquaga Creek State Park
• Green Lakes State Park
• Finger Lakes
• Fair Haven Beach State Park
• Seneca Lake State Park
• Genesee
• Hamlin Beach State Park
• Letchworth State Park (cleanup scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2007)
• Long Island
• Belmont Lake State Park
• Jones Beach State Park
• Hither Hills State Park
• Montauk Point State Park
• Camp Hero State Park
• Robert Moses State Park
• Caumsett State Historic Park
• Wildwood State Park
• Hempstead Lake State Park
• Orient Beach State Park
• Gov. Alfred E. Smith / Sunken Meadow State Park
• Nissequogue River State Park
• New York City
• Empire Fulton Ferry State Park
• Empire Fulton Ferry State Park
• Niagara
• Beaver Island State Park
• Buckhorn Island State Park
• Fort Niagara State Park
• Four Mile Creek State Park
• Woodlawn Beach State Park
• Palisades
• Bear Mountain State Park
• Saratoga/Capital District
• Grafton Lakes State Park