Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team: June 2, 2024 Beach Cleanup

Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team Beach Clean-up Report

Read more about our group here: https://uv-environmental-action-team.blogspot.com/ We meet every second-Sunday at Unity of the Valley, noon-1pm in the Garden Room.

On June 2, 2024, nine volunteers from Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team participated in a beach clean-up for Oregon Coastwatch (https://oregonshores.org/miles/). We focused on the mile stretch of beach between Carl G. Washburne SP, Blowout Creek (181) and south to 180, Hobbit Trail and Heceta Head. The weather tested our commitment as heavy rains and winds made it very difficult to trek two miles on the beach. We endured, including some of our eldest members of Unity. It was a remarkable demonstration of love and grit.

We picked up bags of small chunks of plastic (plastic lids, bottles, and shattered bits of plastic and styrofoam) and other miscellaneous trash. No unusual types or amounts of trash were identified on the stretch of coastline, 1-mile south of Carl Washburn State Park.

We also made observations of recent erosion. Erosion of the sandstone cliffs along this stretch of the coast is common. Just north of Heceta head, the sand beaches and sandstone cliffs are epic. Below, you can see two photos capturing recent erosion.

We also counter the number of other visitors at the beach during our wet and windy stroll. In addition to the nine of us, we observed two small groups of people on strolls with dogs (6 adults and 2 dogs). One person was a former student of Michael’s.

The Gritty Nine: Michael, Chloe, Allie, Moose, Joe, Betsy, Denice, John, and Ruth.