Coastal Cleanup - National Public Lands Day - Ozette, WA

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Ozette Registration & Check-In is located at the Ozette Trailhead Parking Lot on Hoko Ozette Rd.

Olympic National Park is participating in the International Coastal Cleanup and National Public Lands Day on September 21st. This effort promotes the preservation of coastal and marine ecosystems through the removal of trash and debris from coastal areas.

Event Description:

• Volunteers will participate in a beach cleanup event on a specific stretch of beach along the Olympic Coast.
• Event: Saturday, 9/21 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• There will be two periods of check-in for Ozette:
  • Friday, 9/20 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Saturday, 9/21 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
• Volunteers will hike along beaches of varying difficulty to collect marine debris for disposal at designated dumpster sites.
• Volunteers can assist with reporting the types of debris collected by uploading to the Clean Swell app or the Marine Debris Tracker

Volunteer Requirements:

• Any age may participate, but individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• All event volunteers, including minors, must have a volunteer agreement on file before the cleanup. Agreements will be provided for review and signature at the check-in.
• All volunteers are required to check-in at the designated registration station. Volunteer service begins at the beach.
• Volunteers are responsible for providing their own transportation to the check-in site and then to the beach cleanup site.
• Participants should wear sturdy shoes and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for handling trash.
• Follow all safety instructions given at the registration station.
• Carry only the weight the volunteer is comfortable carrying.

Event Staff will Provide:

• Volunteer agreement for review and signature
• Disposable, medical-grade gloves, and trash bags (feel free to bring your own if you have a favorite pair of gloves!)
• Relevant safety information about current conditions, high tides, weather alerts, and hazardous marine debris.

Additional Event Information:

• Volunteers should be prepared to hike on uneven terrain for miles. Bending and stooping is required to collect debris.
• Volunteers will need to carry full trash bags or backpacks loaded with bulky trash, sometimes over steep terrain, rocky beaches, slippery rocks, large drift logs, slippery boardwalks, etc.
• Volunteers should NOT pick up any hazardous debris, such as toilet paper or human waste, or lift more than 40 lbs.

Camping Changes for 2024:

• Volunteers at Ozette may request one (1) backcountry permit for South Sand Point and/or one (1) night at the Ozette campground.
• Backcountry permits may be requested for either the night of Friday, 9/20 OR Saturday, 9/21.
• Backcountry permits will be provided for South Sand Point only. Backcountry permits for any other area will be at the regular permit rates and subject to availability.
• Front country camping may be requested for one night on Thursday, 9/19; Friday, 9/20; or Saturday, 9/21.
• Any additional nights will be at the volunteer's expense.
• To be eligible for a waiver for one night of front country and one night of backcountry camping, volunteers must pre-register by the registration closing date of 9/13/2024 and return the form that will be emailed to you by 9/15/2024.

How to Sign Up:

• Complete this application and submit it by 9/13/2024
• Watch your email for a form to specify which beach you'd like to volunteer on and to request camping.
• Complete and submit that form by 9/15/2024

Know before you go! Prior to any travel, please monitor area weather and road alerts. The event will be cancelled if inclement weather warnings have been issued and forecasts predict area hazards.

For more information about Olympic National Park’s Coastal Area: Pacific Coast

Start Date - 2024-09-20

End Date - 2024-09-21