Join beach goers, scuba divers and water lovers of all ages to celebrate the 17th Annual International Cleanup Day on 21 September 2002. The Project AWARE (Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education) Foundation, in cooperation with the Ocean Conservancy, organize the international event that is named the world’s largest volunteer effort on behalf of the aquatic environment.
Volunteers will make a difference by cleaning their local environment while collecting data on the types and amount of debris as part of a large global effort. Volunteers interested in participating in International Cleanup Day can visit the Project AWARE Foundation website at www.projectaware.org/english/get-involved/cleanups/ for a list of cleanup locations in their area.
The coastal cleanup that began in Texas, involved 2,800 volunteers in 1986, has now spanned the globe. For the 17th Annual event over half a million volunteers in 100 countries are expected to simultaneously comb shorelines and dive for debris in rivers, lakes and oceans of the world. "It’s inspiring to see participation for International Cleanup as events continue to grow," says Kristin Valette, Manager of Project AWARE Foundation. "We hope to break new records this year by involving volunteers from over 100 countries throughout the world in collecting trash above and below water."
Project AWARE Foundation is the dive industry’s leading nonprofit 501 (c)(3), tax-exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of the aquatic environment. The Foundation funds ongoing environmental programs and initiatives such as beach cleanups, environmental research projects, educational campaigns and much more.
