August 18, 2005

INDIVIDUALS AROUND LAKE ERIE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING COASTWEEKS EVENTS
Beach cleanups again part of “Take Pride In America” program and
International Coastal Cleanup Day 
Complete Events Listing

TOLEDO, OH – The Ohio Lake Erie Commission is seeking volunteers to help with projects aimed at cleaning up recreational areas along Lake Erie as part of the 2005 Coastweeks observance, August 20-September 18.  Cleanups are also being coordinated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as part of the national “Take Pride in America” program.

Ohio’s Coastweeks is part of a nationwide effort to educate the public about protecting coastlines around the country. Nearly 30 events are scheduled along Lake Erie throughout the remainder of the summer, including beach walks, nature programs, shoreline conferences and cleanups.  Ohio will also join in the worldwide cleanups taking place September 17, International Coastal Cleanup Day.

Take Pride in America is a national partnership seeking support and recognition for volunteers who work to improve public recreational areas, including forests, grasslands and wildlife refuges. Ohio became a partner to the program in 2004.

2005 Coastweeks Cleanups Include:

Back to Nature Cleanup in a Remote Location - Starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 20 in Oregon.  Meet at the north end of Yondota Road in Jerusalem Township at Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge sign. Rain or shine we will collect and record litter at a normally closed wildlife location where eagles, ducks, deer and foxes play. Sponsor: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

2nd Annual Conservation Camp Out  & Beach Sweep on Saturday and Sunday, August 20–21. Two days packed with educational tours, hands-on activities for all, collect and record litter from East Harbor State Park beach, pollution control poster contest for kids, nature related scavenger hunt, kids' crafts and more. Beach Sweep cleanup starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 20. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the North Beach Bathhouse. Call 419-734-4424 x2 for event times and locations.

Troop 294 Eagle Eye Cleanup - 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.   Help us make these grounds a better place for visitors and wildlife. Bring gloves and brooms if you have them, we will provide the trash bags. Meet at Cullen Park (corner of Summit & 101st., Toledo) Sponsor: Boy Scouts of America - Troop 294

4th Annual Coastweeks Cleanup - 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.  Meet at Euclid Beach pavilion. Bring gloves and wear shoes for walking on sand to help collect and record litter from Euclid Beach. Sponsor: Cleveland Lakefront State Park

Coastweeks Cleanup  - 8:30 a.m.- Noon on Saturday, Sept. 10.  Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve include 1-1/2 miles of natural beach, so join us in this natural area to clean up the litter washed in from Lake Erie-a tradition for the last six years!  We will supply the garbage bags and some gloves, but if you have your own gloves, please bring them. Wear comfortable shoes - sandals are not recommended. Even though light refreshments will be provided, it is recommended to bring your own water bottle. Meet at the Lagoons Marina office (8365 Harbor Dr.); dress for the weather and sunscreen is recommended. Registration is requested, call the City of Mentor's Public Works Dept. at 440-974-5780 before 4 p.m. on Sept. 9 to register.  Sponsors: Cleveland Lakefront State Park, City of Mentor

3rd Annual Great Lake Erie Round-up - 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11.  Meet at Gordon Park, 8701 Lakeland Blvd., N.E. AquaMasters of Lakewood takes pride in Lake Erie and wants to help make a difference and you can too! Join our festive of fun as we pick up litter and beautify our surroundings at Gordon Park and boat ramps. For all volunteers helping in this effort, a luncheon will be served and a reverse raffle to follow. Sponsor: AquaMasters of Lakewood

Euclid Creek Stewardship Week - Back to the Future – taking place Sept. 13-17. Stewardship activities throughout the watershed, including a Lake Erie boat tour, stream cleanups, stream monitoring, motor oil recycling and guest speakers. Call 216-524-6580 for event times and locations. Sponsor: Euclid Creek Watershed Council, Friends of Euclid Creek, Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District.

International Coastal Cleanup Day Event:

9th Annual Maumee Watershed Clean-Your-Streams Day - 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 in the Toledo Area. Tired of all the trash along the streams in the area? Come help the Maumee RAP and Duck & Otter Creeks Partnership clean your stream banks. All volunteers must attend an 8:30 a.m. orientation to receive cleanup location assignment. Meet at one of four kickoff locations; visit maumeerap.org/CYS.html, to find the nearest location to you. Sponsor: Maumee RAP

Among the other 2005 Coastweeks events are:

Adventures In Canoeing – 8-10 p.m. on Friday, August 19, at Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve in Lake County. Receive basic instruction in canoeing before hitting the water at Shipman Pond. Call 216-881-8141 ext. 3001 for information.

Explore The Coast – Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, at Painesville Township Park Community Center in Lake County. Take a tour around the park and visit with many different organizations that work to make Lake Erie great.

Star Gazing - Mars Spectacular!  - 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 at Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina (8365 Harbor Dr.) and then hike to the west beach where a campfire will be waiting.  Mars and Earth are within 34,649,589 miles of each other on this date, closer than any other time in recorded history. Learn how to use sky charts to view the night sky and the moon from the west beach at the Mentor Lagoons. Make sure to bring a small flashlight. Dress for the weather. Pre-registration is requested. Call 440-974-5720 before 4 p.m. on August 26. Program is canceled if it is raining. Sponsor: Cleveland Lakefront State Park

Glacial Glimpses Hike – 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 4, at the glacial grooves area of Kelleys Island State Park in Ottawa County. Learn about one of Ohio’s greatest geological features – the glacial grooves on Kelleys Island. Hike along the island’s north shore and learn about migrating birds with members of the Kelleys Island Audubon Club.

Monarch Butterfly Festival – 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, at Kelleys Island Historical Association in Ottawa County. Celebrate the miraculous monarch butterfly with crafts, food and butterfly tagging demonstrations.

Full Moon Canoe – 7 p.m. on Friday, September 16, at Wildwood Park in Cleveland. Canoe Euclid Creek to Lake Erie under a full harvest moon. Instruction provided. Pre-registration necessary at 216-881-8141 ext. 3001.

Birds & Butterflies at Dike 14 – 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Cleveland Lakefront State Park Dike 14 Gate. The 88-acre wildlife haven features more than 280 species of birds.

Bird Walk At Headlands Dunes  – 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve in Lake County. Plan to see many fall migrants as these birds prepare to fly south for the winter. Pre-registration is requested at 440-974-5720.

Maumee Bay Coastal Campout – 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 17 to 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 18, at Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon. Enjoy a sunset over the bay at this family campout with pot-luck dinner.

Kelleys Island Kayak Poker Paddle - 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 17.  Meet at Kelleys Island State Park - Sand Beach. Leisurely paddle the shores of Kelleys Island while stopping at five island beaches. Best hand wins. Prizes galore! Sponsor: Kelleys Island Kayak Club and Kelleys Island Audubon Club.

For a listing of all events and additional information on the programs listed and other Coastweeks activities, visit the Ohio Lake Erie Commission web site at www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo or call the commission at 419-245-2514. For more information on the Take Pride in America campaign, visit www.TakePride.gov