Suncoast Aqua Ventures is celebrating a decade of environmental action with its 10th Annual Reef & Beach Cleanup, set for Saturday, September 12, at Terra Ceia SeaBreeze Park. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features a “Cash for Trash” competition where participants can win prizes in categories like trash, recyclables, metals, tires, shoes, and unusual finds. Volunteers are invited to collect debris anywhere across Manatee or Sarasota County and return to the park for weigh-in. All supplies, including bags, gloves, and litter pickers, are provided free of charge.
Founded in 2016 by Troy Brown and Cheryl Huntsinger, the nonprofit has removed nearly 390,000 pounds of debris from local waterways since its inception, with more than 150,000 pounds coming from the annual Reef & Beach Cleanup alone. This year’s event aims to push the total beyond the 400,000-pound mark. Organizers encourage participants to bring water, sun protection, and water shoes, and note that the event also includes food trucks, vendors, a bounce house, and children’s activities. Students can earn community service hours by taking part.
The cleanup offers a tangible way for residents to protect the marine life and recreational areas that define the Suncoast. Whether you collect a bag of plastic bottles or pull an old tire out of the mangroves, every piece counts. Have you ever participated in a local cleanup effort, or spotted something surprising on our shores? Share your story in the comments below.
