GREAT BRITISH BEACH CLEAN 2024
This June will see the return of the Marine Conservation Society's (MCS)annual event, Great British Beach Clean.
Running from Friday 20th - Sunday 29th September 2024, MCS are encouraging people around Britain to go down to the beach and do a litter survey - and we want to help!
The Big Beach Clean is a great opportunity for community groups, organisations and individuals to head to their nearest beach and be part of a bigger movement to do our bit for nature and to help keep our beautiful Scottish coastlines clean. The data collected helps MCS to campaign for positive change for the ocean.
This beach clean and litter survey will be based on East and/or West beach in North Berwick. We will only collect what we can reasonably carry back to the Scottish Seabird Centre, where the waste will be sorted, recorded, and disposed of (recycling where possible).
To help MCS’s campaign for cleaner oceans, and to increase understanding about marine pollution and habitats, we will carry out marine litter surveys based on MCS procedure. This will involve selecting a 100-metre stretch of beach, over which we will remove, identify and record the litter that we find.
This beach clean will last around 1 hour.
Friendly, quiet dogs are welcome, but we ask they are kept on a short lead throughout.
Route
This event will concentrate on East and/or West beach in North Berwick, starting and finishing outside the Scottish Seabird Centre.
What will we provide?
We'll provide the beach cleaning kit, including survey forms, gloves, alcohol hand gel, bin bags and pickers (for those who want them). The group leader will carry a large, waterproof backpack to carry additional debris. A health and safety briefing will take place before heading down onto the shore .
What do you need to bring?
Walking boots or shoes with good grip, clothing appropriate for the weather outside, a drink and food as required, any medication you may need, a mobile phone, sun protection (good weather days).
Accessibility
We will be on the move for around 60 minutes during this clean-up, and the route may include some gentle slopes, uneven sand, rocky ground, and slippy surfaces. We will always try to adjust the pace and the route to make sure that everyone is comfortable, but please let us know in advance if you have questions or concerns about the distance or the route. You can direct queries to conservationprojects@seabird.org.
We are delighted that, thanks to the incredible work of the team at Beach Wheelchairs, the beach clean is accessible for wheelchair users (subject to availability). To discuss available equipment and book a session to coincide with this event, get in touch with the Beach Wheelchair volunteers on: info@beachwheelchairs.org or give them a call on: 0300 111 2112. They have a range of adapted manual wheelchairs and an all terrain power wheelchair that can be used both directly and with attendant controls. They also have a hoist. The experienced volunteers will chat through options with you to make sure you get the best experience possible.
Keeping everyone safe
Our group leader is a trained first aider and will be carrying a first aid kit and mobile phone. A copy the risk assessment for the walk will be available to view before/during the event.
What if the event is cancelled?
If this event is cancelled due to poor weather conditions or other circumstances, we will get in touch with you the day before to let you know.
All images (c) the Marine Conservation Society