-DESCRIPTION-

Coastweeks, or the International Coastal Cleanup is a nationwide effort coordinated by The Ocean Conservancy and for the past 30 years, they have inspired millions of people to assist with the cause for healthier seas. Each year, The Ocean Conservancy mobilizes communities to help organize and participate in beach cleanups whilst recording/documenting data such as what kinds of trash they pick up and how much. You can join the effort to reduce marine debris from our coasts to help keep our islands clean! Contact us today to see hw you can help! 

-CLEANUP LOGISTICS-

Each cleanup is led by a site captain who will provide data sheets to volunteers to assist with the recording of the types, quantity, and weight of debris. At each cleanup, supplies should be provided to include items such as trash bags, buckets, pencils, gloves, and water. Most cleanups start promptly at 9:00 AM, so volunteers should aim to arrive at the specified time. 

Both Kick-off cleanups have been rescheduled to October 1, 2022 due to safety concerns from Tropical Storm Fiona. 

You can also choose to schedule your cleanup outside of the Coastweeks timeframe. Click the "VOLUNTEER" button below to volunteer for an already planned cleanup or to schedule your own cleanup today! 

-WHY DOES THIS MATTER?-

For this 360-degree image. click anywhere on the photo and drag your cursor to rotate the image in full 360-degree space to see everything around you. 
Debris removed during The 3rd Great Mangrove Cleanup; beverage bottles are usually the most abundant type of debris found along our mangrove shorelines.  

Removal of debris is important to maintaining the vitality and aesthetic quality of our ecosystems. Collecting data during cleanups is an important process that ensures you capture vital information such as the types, quantities, and weight of debris removed. This data is then used by natural resource managers and legislators to support management policies and new legislation aimed at addressing the negative impacts of marine debris/litter. Without this data, removal of the debris on its own will not prevent and reduce debris from ending up on our coastlines. 

-CLEANUP/EDUCATOR RESOURCES-

Click either the images or the "Download" buttons to access any of the following resources:

• USVI Marine Debris Activity Book: Fun activity book adapted from the NOAA Marine Debris Activity Book with fun games and activities for youth to learn more about marine debris.  
• USVI Marine Debris Curriculum: Educational resource filled with lessons and activities to teach students about what marine debris is, how it is transported, its impacts, and things we can do to reduce its impacts. This curriculum was adapted from the Oregon Sea Grant College Program and was funded through the NOAA Marine Debris Program.
• USVI Marine Debris Pledge: Make the commitment to use #lessplastic. 

-HISTORIC / CURRENT DATA-

Click on any of the following links to view the data collected for that specific year. This data is great for teachers who want to have access to data sets, teach graphing skills to their students, and observe trends between years of data collection.

• 2021 Coastweeks Data (St. Thomas and St. Croix)
• 2020 Coastweeks Data (St. Thomas only)
• 2019 Coastweeks Data / Infographic (St. Thomas only)
• 2018 Coastweeks Data (St. Thomas only)
• 2017 Coastweeks Data (No data collected due to the 2017 Hurricanes)
• 2016 Coastweeks Data (St. Thomas only)
• 2015 Coastweeks Data (St. Thomas only) 
• 2014 Coastweeks Data (St. Thomas only)
• 1986 - 2008 Coastweeks Data (USVI)

- Contact Us-   

Office Phone: St. Thomas (340) 693-1672 / St. Croix (340) 692-4046
E-mail: St. Thomas (howard.forbes@live.uvi.edu) / St. Croix (mtaylor@uvi.edu)
Website: http://vimas.uvi.edu
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Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service
Center for Marine and Environmental Studies
University of the Virgin Islands

St. Thomas                                                St. Croix
#2 John Brewers Bay                                 RR#1, 10,000 Kingshill
St. Thomas, USVI 00802                           St. Croix, USVI 00850-9781