BLUE HILL -- As part of the annual observance of Coastweek, the Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) and the Blue Hill Heritage Trust (BHHT) are co-sponsoring a public Community Coastal Cleanup event on Long Island in Blue Hill Bay on Saturday, October 4, beginning at 9:00am. MERI is providing limited transportation to Long Island; pre-registration is required to reserve a spot on the MERI vessel. Members of the public wishing to provide their own transportation to Long Island are also welcome and encouraged to participate in the beach cleanup; please call MERI for more specific meeting arrangements. All pre-registered participants in this cleanup will be provided with bags and data sheets to record the specific types and quantities of marine debris found. The data collected will be used by the State of Maine Coastal Program and the Ocean Conservancy, a national organization, to better identify sources of marine debris and find solutions for preventing it. To pre-register or get more details on the Long Island cleanup event, please contact MERI Education Program Coordinator Margaret Quinn at 374-2135 or email: meriedu@downeast.net.

The state of Maine is celebrating Coastweek from September 27 through October 4. Coastal Cleanup is Coastweek’s main event, giving community members the opportunity to participate in hands-on protection of Maine’s valuable coastline. In addition to the Long Island cleanup, MERI is working with several local schools and community groups will be conducting beach cleanups throughout the week.