The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Every year, beach goers leave tons of trash on Texas beaches. And even more washes up from the Gulf of Mexico.

That’s why Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is issuing the call for an army of volunteers of all ages to help keep our beaches naturally pristine and safe for all to enjoy at the Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup.

“We’re looking for a few good Texans to help keep our beaches litter-free,” Patterson said. “Join us on Sept. 28, for an enjoyable, memorable event to clean up our coast.”

Volunteers may register at check-in sites between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. (St. Jo Island and I-45 Estuarial Corridor volunteers must register in advance.) Most of the 29 sites will provide cold drinks, hot food and fun activities immediately following the cleanup.

Now in its 27th year, 446,000 Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have picked up 17 million pounds of litter from the Gulf Coast. To participate, register at www.TexasAdoptABeach.org. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen. They will be provided with data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags.

Those who can’t make it on Sept. 28 will have a second opportunity later this fall. A competitive, four-wheel drive excursion, cleanup and treasure hunt – the Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup Expedition – is set for Nov. 2 at Padre Island National Seashore. And year-round, anyone may donate to Adopt-A-Beach online at www.TexasAdoptABeach.org. Sponsorship levels range from $25 to $25,000, tax-deductible.

The cleanup does more than simply remove litter from the beach. Data collected from previous Adopt-A-Beach cleanups played an important role in the passage of an international treaty (MARPOL Annex V) restricting the dumping of plastics in the world’s oceans. In 1991, the International Maritime Organization prohibited the dumping of trash, except for finely grounded food scraps, into the Gulf of Mexico.

Shell Oil Company is the lead sponsor for the 27th Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup – one of the most successful all-volunteer efforts in the nation. Other sponsors include HNTB, Apache Corporation, Cameron International Corporation, Cheniere Energy, Flint Hills Resources, Halliburton, Schlumberger, and the Ocean Conservancy.

For more information call 877-TXCOAST, visit www.TexasAdoptABeach.org, or “like” the Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Program on Facebook.

WHO: An estimated 10,000 Texans who care about their beach

WHAT: 27th Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup

WHERE: 29 sites along the Texas coast (full list at www.TexasAdoptABeach.org)

WHEN: 9:00 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 28

WHY: To keep Texas beaches clean and healthy