.png)
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) are encouraging people across the country to take part in their 2024 Spring Clean Scotland campaign, and we want to help! Last year, over 30,000 volunteers got involved in this national movement taking action against litter. This year, we want to encourage even more people to get involved.
The session on March 15th will celebrate the launch of Spring Clean Scotland 2024, when we will be joined by a team from KSB and the Scottish Coastal Cleanup in a joint event!
Why? Because litter is not only an eyesore, it’s also harmful to wildlife and the environment as a whole. 89% of people who got involved last year also said that getting outdoors and doing a litter pick helped them destress, relax and unwind.
Join us in North Berwick as we tackle marine litter with likeminded people whilst enjoying a walk along North Berwick’s beautiful coastline.
To help KSB’s campaign for cleaner oceans, and to increase understanding about marine pollution and habitats, we will carry out marine litter surveys based on KSB 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 – 1.5 hours.
Friendly, quiet dogs are welcome, but we ask they are kept on a short lead throughout.
Route
This event will concentrate on East/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 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 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 1 – 1.5 hours during this clean-up, and the route may include some gentle slopes, uneven sand, rocky ground, and slippery 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 can now be 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 of 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.