SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Local residents eager to “Get the Trash Out of the Splash” need look no farther than 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center to take part in Saturday’s 23rd annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup.

The 5 Rivers site, one of 13 designated Baldwin County cleanup zones from 8 a.m. until noon will host for the fourth consecutive year a hub for canoes and kayak paddlers.

Each zone will have supplies available for volunteers such as large trash bags, protective gloves and water. For a complete listing of the 28 confirmed cleanup zones in Baldwin and Mobile counties, visit www.alcoastalcleanup.com/clean-up.html.

Alabama Coastal Cleanup is an extension of the International Coastal Cleanup, the largest single-day volunteer event for the marine environment. Since joining the effort in 1987, more than 58,000 volunteers have picked up more than 1.12 million pounds of marine debris and cleaned 3,500 miles of Alabama coastline.

Despite the attention given in recent months to shoreline cleanup associated with the April 20 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, Alabama Coastal Cleanup Coordinators Amy King and Spencer Ryan issued a joint statement clarifying the volunteer event's role in preserving the local marine environment.

“The Alabama Coastal Cleanup will not be an ‘oil cleanup.’ The mission of the Alabama Coastal Cleanup is to provide an educational experience through the removal of marine debris from the shoreline of Alabama. The Cleanup will only focus on the removal of non-oiled marine debris and litter,” King and Ryan said in a written statement.

Because of the unusual circumstances, however, special precautions never required in years past might become necessary as the day unfolds.

“For the safety of our volunteers, there will be modified cleanup zones if oil is present along the shoreline. These modifications may include redirecting volunteers to un-oiled sites or the outright cancellation of a cleanup zone,” King and Ryan stated, noting the ongoing monitoring of the situation.

Jenn Hammett of Spanish Fort said she has taken part in the coastal cleanup effort intermittently since 1998, but this is the first year her children will be joining her.

“My husband and I have taught our children how important it is to care for the environment, but we think they’re finally old enough to be a part of that effort, so they really understand how much is at stake,” Hammett said.

Coastal Cleanup safety tips

*Drink plenty of fluids.

*Bring sunscreen, a hat and wear comfortable shoes.

*An adult should supervise children at all times.

*Be careful near sand dunes and other fragile ecosystems.

*Do not attempt to remove dangerous or heavy items yourself. Mark the location and report back to the zone captain for proper disposal.

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