{"id":111713,"date":"2025-11-19T13:10:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T21:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/?page_id=111713"},"modified":"2026-04-07T15:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T22:07:36","slug":"beach-cleanup-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/beachlitter\/beach-cleanup-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach News"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTime in Nature Boosts Health<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\tWe all know that getting outside feels<\/em> good\u2014but it is tremendously beneficial for our health. Fresh air, trees, sunlight, ocean breeze\u2026 all of it works together to boost your mood, relax your mind, and even help your body function better. Studies have shown that time in nature can support everything from your skin and muscles to your lungs and overall emotional well-being. It\u2019s like a free wellness treatment, just waiting for you outside your front door.
There\u2019s even a name for our natural pull toward the outdoors: biophilia<\/strong>. It\u2019s that built\u2011in connection humans have with nature, and it\u2019s not just for kids climbing trees or building forts. Adults are leaning into it too\u2014think quiet moments in the forest, slow walks on the beach, moments of mindfulness under the trees, toes in the sand. Some doctors are even prescribing park visits instead of medication for stress and anxiety. Pretty amazing, right?

Want more time outside? There are tons of easy ways.<\/strong>
One simple way: join a beach cleanup. It\u2019s a great excuse to get outside, meet neighbors, and do something good for our local environment, all at once.
Another option\u2014explore our beautiful local and regional state parks. And here\u2019s the good news: you can check out a Discover Pass from your local library.

Check Out a Discover Pass\u2014Just Like a Book<\/strong>
Sno-Isle Libraries offer Discover Passes that patrons can reserve online and pick up in person. These passes grant access to Washington State Parks and associated lands, making it easy to plan a weekend adventure or a simple walk in the woods.
Each library branch has multiple passes available, though quantities vary. Some branches may have ten passes on hand, while others hold four. Passes can be checked out for two weeks and renewed up to five times, provided no one else has placed a hold. While summer demand is high, pass availability is typically greater during the winter months.
Patrons must have a Sno-Isle library card to participate.

A Stroll on the Beach or a Walk in the Park Awaits<\/strong>
For anyone looking to reap the health benefits of nature\u2014whether through peaceful hikes, invigorating shoreline walks, or community volunteer opportunities\u2014Sno-Isle Libraries can help you get there. Check your local branch, reserve a Discover Pass, and step into the healing power of the outdoors.\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n\n
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLocal Parks You Can Explore With a Discover Pass<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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We\u2019re lucky in Island County\u2014there\u2019s no shortage of gorgeous places to wander. With a pass, you can visit:

Deception Pass State Park
Cornet Bay State Park
Hoypus Point State Park
Dugualla Bay State Park
Joseph Whidbey State Park
Fort Ebey State Park
Fort Casey State Park
Keystone Jetty
Keystone Spit State Park
South Whidbey State Park
Possession Point State Park
Cama Beach State Park
Camano Island State Park

Whether you\u2019re craving forest trails, open beaches, or peaceful viewpoints, we\u2019ve got it all right here at home.\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n\n
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeach Cleanup Days
-By Kelli Jo Reinke\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\tTreasures of trash, that never stop.<\/em><\/strong>
T-shirts, socks, and one flip flop.<\/em><\/strong>
Plastic shotgun wads and casings.<\/em><\/strong>
And so many more we are chasing.<\/em><\/strong>

Floats from boats. Bits of rope.<\/em><\/strong>
Tires full of styrene that float.<\/em><\/strong>
Plastic bags, bottles, and caps.<\/em><\/strong>
Beach toys, tennis balls, and a baseball hat.<\/em><\/strong>

Straws, tubing, and PVC pipes.<\/em><\/strong>
Pens, lighters, and cups of all types.<\/em><\/strong>
Baby oyster and baby clam cages.<\/em><\/strong>
Bits of beach glass softened by ages.<\/em><\/strong>

Rusty metals and mussel disks.<\/em><\/strong>
There is no bit of beach we missed.<\/em><\/strong>
We can cross another cleanup off our list.<\/em><\/strong>
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11.19.25<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tQuarterly Cleanup Report
Q1 July-Sept 2025\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\tIsland County Beach Cleanup \u2013 Quarter 1 Highlights (July\u2013September 2025)<\/strong>
Keeping Our Beaches Beautiful Together!<\/strong>
This quarter, our amazing volunteers worked hard to protect our beaches and waters. Here\u2019s what we accomplished:

By the Numbers<\/strong>
34 cleanup events<\/strong> (Scheduled group volunteer cleanups + individual Purple Card cleanups)
603 total hours<\/strong> of work (volunteers + admin)

Litter Collections <\/strong>
845 pounds of litter collected<\/strong>
34 miles of shoreline cleaned<\/strong>
37.5 pounds of recyclable materials recovered<\/strong>
933 plastic shotgun wads removed<\/strong>
Plus tires and Styrofoam blocks!

Recycling Totals<\/strong>
151 plastic bottles (11.3 lbs)<\/strong>
109 aluminum cans (3.4 lbs)<\/strong>
52 glass bottles (23 lbs)<\/strong>

Community Connections<\/strong>
August Picnic<\/strong> \u2013 Thanks everyone for a great time, with all kinds of delicious foods, and a big thank you to Taylor Shellfish for donating 7 gallons of clam chowder base!
Quarterly Volunteer Meeting<\/strong> \u2013 Held at WSU Extension Island County office to discuss tides, safety, scheduling, and program updates.

Thank you to every volunteer who made this quarter a success! Your efforts keep our beaches clean and our community strong.<\/strong>

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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCLCP Grant 25-27\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\tThanks to the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) for awarding WSU Extension Island County and the beach cleanup volunteers the new Community Litter Cleanup Program (CLCP) grant for the beach litter cleanup program here in Island County. We are fortunate to have received this grant every 2 years since about 1998. This new grant cycle runs July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.\u00a0

The CLCP grant provides funding for the disposal of beach debris at the Island County Solid Waste Station, cleanup supplies, educational outreach materials, funding for community events, and a portion of the coordinator\u2019s salary.\u00a0 We appreciate this award and look forward to using it to serve our community through working to keep the beaches clean and sharing our knowledge of best practices for litter disposal. Thank you again to the Washington Department of Ecology for the grant, and to Island County, Island County Solid Waste, and WSU Extension Island County for their management and support of this effort.\u00a0 And, a big thank you to all the wonderful beach cleanup volunteers!

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