Community members show their love of the Gulf by volunteering

Keep Pasco Beautiful World Oceans Day Event Hailed a Success

The first Keep Pasco Beautiful World Oceans Day cleanup event has been hailed a success – with the environment reeling in the biggest benefits.  Volunteers donated their time June 8 at two Pasco County locations: Anclote Gulf Park in Holiday and Cypress Creek Preserve in Land O’ Lakes.  Combing the roadways and shoreline, they removed everything from televisions and sofa cushions – to car bumpers and tires.

“Trash along the roadways ends up in the stormwater system which ultimately leads to the Gulf,” said Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King.  “We live in an amazing place and we all have to do our part to protect it.”

Here are some statistics from the successful event:

• 1,460 pounds of trash collected
• 59 volunteers
• 118 volunteer hours logged  
• $3,368 cost benefit (Volunteer Time Value)

Pasco County has more than 20 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.  In Central and East Pasco, there are several watersheds that lead to Tampa Bay and various rivers.  Keep Pasco Beautiful, along with Pasco County Public Works, Solid Waste, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and Covanta Pasco, organized the event.

To volunteer or learn more about Keep Pasco Beautiful, click here: keeppascobeautiful.org.