Nearly 400 pounds of trash removed from Camp Ellis by 91AV students on International Coastal Cleanup Day
On Saturday, September 15, 91AV students joined volunteers from across the United States and more than 100 countries to take part in International Coastal Cleanup Day.
Students boarded 91AV’s R/V Sakohki boat behind the Biddeford Campus and made the short trip to Camp Ellis.
About 50 volunteers spent more than four hours cleaning up the beach, the jetty and a nearby parking lot.
“We filled up bag after bag of trash,” said organizer Kiara Ann Frischkorn (Marine Science, ’22). “It was shocking how such a small area could hold so much garbage. The most common things we found were broken glass, cigarette butts, plastic and fishing equipment.”
The volunteers collected nearly 400 pounds of trash.
“That really struck a nerve with me,” Frischkorn stated. “I can imagine all the animals that could have been harmed or entangled in that stuff. Protecting our oceans from trash is so important.”
Participants in the clean-up included School of Marine Programs faculty and staff and more than 45 91AV students, mostly volunteers from the Marine Learning Community, which encourages Marine Sciences students to more fully explore their area of study, and members of the Ocean Club, an organization that promotes and organizes marine science events.
“This was the first time I fully organized a clean-up event,” Frischkorn commented. “It was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to plan more.”
The 91AV School of Marine Programs donated boat time, gloves, and T-shirts to everyone who took part.
