OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) - The third annual Alan Test Memorial Beach Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, in Ocean Springs.
Organizer Kelsey Kuykendall said the cleanup is open to the public and supplies will be provided.
A new element this year includes painted cigarette butt receptacles that will be placed along the beach. The Ocean Springs High School Art Club painted one receptacle, and a graduate student from the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory painted another.
A third receptacle will be placed at Fort Maurepas, and attendees at Saturday’s cleanup will be invited to add a handprint to it.
“I really wanted the community to have a connection to these and understand that these are part of your community to help your beaches,” Kuykendall said.
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The cleanup is named in memory of Alan Test, who Kuykendall described as an advocate for protecting the coastal environment.
“He loved going out cleaning the beaches each morning, and he loved being on the water and protecting that environment. So, we really want to continue that in his legacy,” Kuykendall said.
Last year’s cleanup removed 471 pounds of trash. Kuykendall said organizers hope the event continues to grow each year.
The cleanup runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Those interested in participating can meet at Fort Maurepas Park along Front Beach Drive.
“It’s a kid-friendly event. Bring your kids, your dogs, anybody’s welcome,” Kuykendall said.
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The event is sponsored by Thalassas and the Rotary Club of Ocean Springs.
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