Volunteers clean the Saugatuck

Local volunteers cleaned the Saugatuck River Saturday, Sept. 16 as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

Participants in the cleanup, sponsored by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), met at Patagonia in Westport (a supporter of Nutmeg TU’s activities) for a pep rally and safety instructions before making the short walk to the river to begin their cleanup.

During the hour of combing the banks of the Saugatuck River, 115 volunteers picked up more than 100 pounds of marine debris. Using the “Clean Swell” app to track the type and amount of debris collected, the volunteers logged more than 500 cigarette butts and 300 pieces of plastic as well as paper, food, food wrappers, cans, and an old street sign.

The husband-and-wife team of Richard and Margaret Hyman of Weston led a group of local high school students.

Click here to read coverage in The Weston Forum.