INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Treasure Coast has proclaimed July 15-21 as Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup Week.
The counties of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River, along with the municipalities of Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and Sebastian, have all recognized the efforts of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC), the Florida Inland Navigation District, and its 1000 plus volunteers who work to keep our waterways clean.
“The waterways in the district can accumulate trash and debris from many sources. FIND sponsors voluntary waterway cleanups in each of the 12 counties in the district with Keep Florida Beautiful affiliates as well as Marine Industry Associations,” says Bruce Barkett, FIND Commissioner for Indian River County.
“We believe these cleanup efforts are important not just for the health of the waterway because of the removal of the debris, but also because they help to bring together the users of the waterway in a spirit of community and in a way that fosters environmental awareness. These are good projects, and we enjoy sponsoring them up and down the waterway,” Barkett added.
This year’s volunteers will receive an event t-shirt, discounts to the St. Lucie River Princess, and will be recognized at a “Thank You BBQ” on August 5 that will take place at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club.
Boaters will also receive a commemorative flag to fly to show that they are part of the cleanup.
It’s not too late to register. Just go to www.TCWaterwayCleanup.com, or show up at one of our designated sites on the Treasure Coast on July 21, the day of the cleanup.
The event runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“There are several Coastal Cleanups that take place throughout the Treasure Coast which are vital to the health of our beaches and shore line. However, this cleanup specifically concentrates on the waterways, spoil islands, and area canals,” says Tim Grabenbauer, Marina Manager of the Vero Beach Municipal Marina and president of MIATC.
“This is our chance to involve the entire Treasure Coast community in an industry that is vital to our economic well being. We get to give back and educate folks on the importance of keeping our waterways clean,” Grabenbauer explained.
For more information, please contact April Price at (772) 285-1646.
Online registration is available on our website at www.TCWaterwayCleanup.com, or become a fan on Facebook. Just enter Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup in your Facebook search engine.
The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, Inc. (MIATC), is a not-for-profit trade association representing recreational marine businesses in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
MIATC is dedicated to the promotion of pleasure boating and its related industries.