By Monique Washington
The Nevis Historic and Conservation Society is encouraging persons, groups and clubs to register and volunteer for the annual coastal cleanup slated for Sept. 24.
Nevis has participated in this worldwide 31-year-old initiative for the past 24 years and hundreds of volunteers flood the coastline to clean up. The international coast cleanup is an initiative by the Ocean Conservancy. The cleanup will be held on Sept. 17 around the world, but in St. Kitts and Nevis the effort take place Sept. 24 because of National heroes’ day (Sept. 16) and the Independence Celebration (Sept. 19).
Nicole Liburd, executive director of the Nevis Historic and Conservation Society The Observer on Thursday,the importance of the cleanup in Nevis and the impact litter may potentially have to the island.
“The coastal cleanup is part of a worldwide initiative,” Liburd said. “the international coastal cleanup is happening in over 100 different countries, that is the day they like to highlight the beach cleanup.We are a major tourism reliant destination and everything that we do impacts our tourism and the image that we put out to the world. Everyone can say they are taking active steps to help one reduce litter and to help build our image.”
In addition to Nevis’ tourism product Liburd pointed out that trash around the coastline will have an adverse effect on fragile marine life.
“Anything that goes into the ocean will have an adverse effect. Every eco system is fragile,” she said. “All the trash will affect the extreme fragile balance and we must be mindful of that and teach our children that as well.”
Last year alone over 3,300 pounds of litter was collected from the coastline. Volunteers covered over 10 miles and reportedly collected 21,000 items.
During the cleanup, all items collected are documented and sent to the Ocean Conservancy. The data is then compared with other litter from around the region.
Liburd said that many groups including church groups, government ministries, social groups, HOPE Nevis, community groups, fishing associations, schools and clubs participate in the cleanup.
Liburd explained that during the year other groups start other cleanup initiatives and NHCS works alongside them.
Liburd said that this year Coconut Grove has once again partnered with NHCS in providing the location for the volunteer’s picnic.
Although the cleanup is voluntary, Liburd ask that all persons groups and clubs register in advance.
