General Beach Cleanup
Collecting trash on foot and carrying the bags off the beach to designated roadside collection points.
For a better idea of what's involved, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Volunteer Welcome and Check-in Station
Help get volunteers checked in as they arrive. This will include staffing the check in area, meeting and greeting other volunteers, ensuring that all volunteer paperwork is properly filled out, providing volunteers with an orientation and safety message, and checking for wilderness permits and bear cans for those going for overnight stays. Also includes acting as a liaison between the Olympic National Park volunteer coordinator, Olympic National Park area rangers, and the event volunteers. Distribute and collect reporting cards that indicate the location of large or hazardous items, all volunteer paperwork, registration supplies, and other necessary materials. Return these items to the designated drop off locations after the event. This is a great way to help if you don't want to walk far or carry out full garbage bags.
 Know Before You Go
On the morning of April 21st, low tide will occur around 7:43 a.m. (-.3 ft.). High tide will occur around 2:17 p.m. (+8.0 ft.). Check the weather forecast for the coast and plan your clothing and supplies accordingly. It's a good idea to have layers that help protect you from water, wind, and cold. For more information about safety, clothing, tools, lodging, and dogs, see our Frequently Asked Questions page. For directions or questions about your beach, refer to your beach signup page or contact your beach coordinator (listed on the signup page).
Check-in Time and Location
Please check in before beginning any cleanup activities. Check in at the Kalaloch Campground between 7:30 a.m and 11 a.m. on Saturday. A CoastSavers representative will provide trash bags and basic information about the Cleanup and your beach. Be sure to fill out and bring the "Volunteer Agreement" form with you (download here). If you do not bring one, forms will be available at check in.
Recycling Program
 We have a recycling program at the check-in location, so look for this sign at the designated collection area. If you would like to offer additional assistance, you are welcome to take recyclables back home with you. However, please be aware that most recycling companies will not accept highly degraded items or anything filled with wet sand or other beach muck. They only want the really clean household stuff like yogurt cups and plastic water bottles. If you take any debris back with you, be sure to bag it up tightly (stinky), keep it away from curious kids and dogs (messy), and don't take any glass or sharp metal (safety hazard - ouch!).
Camping
If you will be wilderness camping within Olympic National Park, you'll need to check in at the Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (WIC) in Port Angeles or the Forks Transit Center to get your permit, but camping and permit fees will be waived (FREE) for Cleanup participants on the nights of Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st. Frontcountry camping at the coastal campgrounds is on a first-come, first-served basis, and camping will be FREE for Cleanup participants on the nights of Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st. The Park will also waive all wilderness permit fees and entrance fees for coastal areas during the Cleanup for participants. You may check in at either of these locations on Friday until 5:30 p.m. For hours, directions, trail status, and other info, call the WIC at (360) 565-3100 or see the WIC website.
Beach Features:
Beach logs. Roadside parking. Basic Safety Guidelines:
- Wear gloves, proper clothing, and water-resistant shoes.
- Do not touch medical waste, dead animals, hazardous materials or sharp objects. If you are uncertain about an item, do not touch it.
- Do not approach wildlife.
- Report hazardous items that cannot be removed to event staff.
- Work with a partner.
- Be careful of unstable banks, steep slopes, or slippery surfaces.
- Do not try to lift anything that is too heavy for you. Ask for help!
- Watch for poison oak, plants with thorns, or other natural hazards.
- Watch for any trucks or equipment that might be used in the project.
- When driving on the beach (State Parks only), stay on compacted sand. Do not drive onto high tideland where sand is soft or onto very wet sand areas.
Debris Data Program
 The amount and type of debris you find on our beaches gives evidence of its globally diverse sources and its impact on ocean ecosystems. Help us analyze what it all means by participating in our data collection program. If you will be at the cleanup with a group, please download our Debris Data Card and fill out as you clean the beach (also available at check in). One group member should fill out the form while others call out their findings. After the cleanup, simply go online and transfer your findings to our debris database. Collective results will be available online to anyone seeking to understand and reduce the effects of marine debris.
More Information:
For more information about volunteering at this location, please contact our beach coordinator at: Heidi.Pedersen (at) noaa.gov.
Beach Location & Directions:
South Beach is located on Highway 101, south of both the campground and the Kalaloch Lodge. |
