Cleanup coordinator: The beach needs you

Ready to go STAFF PHOTO BY PHIL REYNOLDS State rep. Juan Garcia, D-Corpus Christi, left, and Rick Tinnin, director of marine education for The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute (MSI), declare the ground ready for planting at the new Wetlands Education Center at MSI. The two were checking soil conditions before a community-wide event scheduled for yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 29, to plant wetlands vegetation in the area. The truck, donated by Island Construction, will be used to "water in" 'the plants after they're in the ground.

Calling all schools, churches, youth groups and scouts: Your help is needed in Port Aransas.

Port Aransas coordinator Bruce Reynolds is seeking to rebuild the worker base from Port Aransas and other cities for the 21st annual Adopt- A-Beach (AAB) Fall Cleanup.

The Texas General Land Office

GLO) program has set the cleanup for Saturday, Sept. 22, and Reynolds has great hopes of raising the volunteer count to the status of earlier years.

"Port Aransas has been involved in this endeavor for every year of its existence, but the number of volunteers has dwindled. I intend to correct this downward slide now and extend a 'come back please' to all the 'regulars' who used to participate here. I also am extending a personal invitation to those who have never joined in this worthwhile event. We want you," said Reynolds.

Two of the 11 AAB cleanup sites in the Coastal Bend are under Reynolds' jurisdiction. One is at Avenue G and the beach, and another is on San Jose (St. Jo) Island.

"Unless I get a responsible group to head up the St. Jo cleaning, volunteers will not be sent to the island," Reynolds said.

"Cleaning on St. Jo is a unique experience compared to other sites up and down the Texas coast, as it is only cleaned when we send volunteers over. They have to ride on the Jetty Boat out of Fisherman's Wharf to get to the island. With the north jetty as a part of St. Jo, every time a ship goes up the Corpus Christi Channel, anything in the water is washed on the jetties and the beach there," said Reynolds. "It is likely someone will find more unusual treasures here, but willing young people are needed to work this location." No amenities are available on St. Jo, and volunteers arrive and depart in shifts.

Volunteers for St. Jo must pre-register with Reynolds by Wednesday, Sept. 19, to get free boat fare to get to the island, and volunteers must be at the check-in location by 7:45 a.m. Registering at the beach location may be done on cleanup day. However, large groups are asked to let Reynolds know ahead of time.

Reynolds may be reached at (361) 749-0215 or bruce.reynolds@texasad optabeach.org.

Data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags will be distributed to volunteers who are advised to wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking water.

"Seventy percent of trash found on Texas beaches is left behind by average beachgoers," Texas GLO Commissioner Jerry Patterson said. "Humans created this problem, and humans have a responsibility to fix it. I urge all my fellow Texans to join me at the beach and help turn the tide against trash."