At its April 2011 meeting, the founding members of Heal the Ocean’s Junior Council voted to organize regular, monthly beach cleanups on all Santa Barbara south county beaches beginning fall 2011.
The scope of this regular beach-cleaning service will extend from Goleta to Rincon. High school students from all over the Santa Barbara south county will gather with the HTO-JCs to help with an important issue they feel strongly about. Community members are welcome and encouraged to join the important events, too.
By making the beach cleaning service regular, the HTO Junior Council hopes to improve the beach experience for everyone in south Santa Barbara County. “By making the beach cleanups a priority the Santa Barbara community will see noticeable improvements at the local beaches with the help of these incredible teenagers,” says Megan O’Meara, HTO-JC Programs Director.
The beach cleanups will be held on the first Sunday of every month starting in September 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. To receive community service hours, students must come ready to pick up trash: reusable loves are required, pails are desired.
Heal the Ocean Junior Council’s newly launched Web site www.htoJuniorCouncil.org has posted an informative event schedule for the beach cleanups, as well as other activities of the HTO-JC.
About the HTO Junior Council
The HTO Junior Council was formed in March 2010, when it took on the Santa Barbara County Doggie Bag program at South County beaches after the County suspended filling dog bag dispensers. Council members are high school students from every local high school in South Santa Barbara County, each developing a club at their respective schools.
To have a look at the activities of the Junior Council go to www.htoJuniorCouncil.org.
For more information, contact: Megan O’Meara, Junior Council Programs Director, Phone: 805-618-0082 E-Mail: Megan@HealTheOcean.org