Keeping Cedar Key Clean: Join the 41st Annual International Coastal Cleanup

The 2026 ICC logo and shirt design.

Cedar Key community members and visitors are invited to help protect our coast during the 41st Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cedar Key City Park. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m.

Organized annually by the Ocean Conservancy, the International Coastal Cleanup brings together volunteers around the world to remove marine debris and collect important data about the types of trash impacting coastal environments. Cedar Key has proudly participated in this global effort for more than 20 years, with local volunteers helping keep our shoreline and waterways cleaner.

During the cleanup, volunteers will be assigned areas around Cedar Key to collect and document marine debris. While some trash can be found along roadsides and sidewalks, much of the debris accumulates in harder-to-reach areas like muddy ditches, marsh edges, and coastal habitats. Volunteers should come prepared for Florida conditions and expect to get a little dirty while making a big impact.

What to Bring and Wear

A volunteer at the check-in table grabing supplies. — *A volunteer at the check-in table grabbing supplies before heading out. Photo credit: Emily Colson.*

Volunteers are encouraged to bring:

Work gloves
Closed-toe shoes or boots that can get muddy
Comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor conditions
Sunscreen, a hat, and water
Insect protection if needed

Trash bags and data sheets will be provided.

How to Participate

No registration is required! Volunteers can simply arrive at Cedar Key City Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. to check in, pick up supplies, and receive a cleanup assignment. If you plan to bring a large group of 10 or more volunteers, advance notice is appreciated to help us prepare enough supplies. Contact Emily Colson at emilycolson@ufl.edu with your group details.

As volunteers collect trash, they will also record the items they find using paper data cards or the Clean Swell app. This information helps researchers, resource managers, and communities better understand marine debris trends and develop solutions to reduce pollution. Pro tip: Have one person in your group serve as the designated data recorder while others collect trash.

Volunteers who complete and return their data collection materials along with their collected trash will receive a free event t-shirt and lunch while supplies last. T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will not be distributed before 11:30 a.m.

*UF group pulls in a haul of trash from the canal by Joe Rains beach. Photo credit: Mark Clark.*

Why Data Collection Matters

The International Coastal Cleanup is more than a cleanup event, it is also a global citizen science effort. Every piece of trash recorded helps build a better understanding of where marine debris comes from and how it impacts coastal communities.

The data collected during Cedar Key’s cleanup contributes to a worldwide database used to identify pollution trends, guide prevention efforts, and support healthier oceans and coastal habitats.

Join your neighbors, friends, and fellow coastal stewards on September 19 as we work together to keep Cedar Key’s coast clean!