Mark your calendar for a final Fourth of July weekend event: the annual July 5 beach cleanup starting at 9 a.m. at Birch Bay Beach Park.
Due to the growing amount of litter left on the beach each July 4, volunteer cleanup efforts have been hosted annually by the Whatcom Conservation District and Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce jointly, in collaboration with other local organizations. Last July 5, almost 6 tons of garbage were removed from the beach.
The chamber asks that those out celebrating on the berm pack in and pack out their trash. For those unable to bring their trash with them, please leave it bagged near trash bins on Birch Bay Drive to avoid debris ending up back on the beach or washed out to the bay.
“While we are grateful for the volunteers who show up to help, our ultimate goal isn’t to collect more and more garbage, it’s to have less garbage left behind to collect and cleaner beaches for everyone to enjoy,” chamber Executive Director Danielle Gaughen wrote in an email to The Northern Light.
The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, Whatcom Conservation District, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Whatcom County Health and Community Services, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management have all collaborated for this event.
Cleanup is 9 a.m. to noon at 7930 Birch Bay Drive, and snacks and supplies such as gloves and trash bags will be provided.
