The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section in Sussex County, along with the Center for the Inland Bays and the Division of Parks and Recreation, will be hosting the Fourth Annual Cleanup of the Inland Bays beginning at 9 a.m. and finishing up about 3 p.m., Saturday, June 21.

This year there will be two starting locations, one at Massey’s Landing at the end of Long Neck Road and one at the Mulberry Landing Boat Ramp in the Assawoman Wildlife Area near Fenwick Island. A number of local businesses are donating money, food and equipment such as dumpsters. 

Cleanup volunteers are needed, as well as pontoon boats, duck boats and lots of enthusiasm. Volunteers should dress to get dirty and be prepared for cooler conditions on the water as well as wet walking conditions on land. Boots are also suggested. Those who have access to lifejackets should bring one, as they are required on boats. Otherwise, lifejackets will be provided. Young children should not attend.

Last year’s event drew 50 volunteers who collected a large quantity of debris, including soda bottles and cans, tires, a hot water heater and a lot of plastic. A large construction dumpster was donated and filled by the end of the day.

DNREC and the Center for the Inland Bays have a new initiative underway this year which was funded by State Representatives Joseph W. Booth, Gerald W. Hocker and Peter C. Schwartzkopf.  

“Boaters will be seeing a yellow diamond shaped sign posted at many of the boat ramps around the Inland Bays this year. The sign has the logos of both agencies on it, a challenge to the users of the Inland Bays to take care of this fragile ecosystem, and the acronym CPR, which stands for Conserve, Protect, and Respect. We hope that through activities such as the clean-up and reminders like this challenging sign, the persons using the Inland Bays will pause long enough to make decisions that truly benefit these waterways,” said Lt. Aaron Hurd of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance, as lunch and t-shirts will be provided. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Debbe Passwaters at 302-856-2656 or debbe0904 [at] mchsi [dot] com or Marie Burke at 302-934-9495 or pebble128 [at] aol [dot] com.