Volunteers Needed to Clean New Jersey Beaches [AUDIO]

If you're looking for something to do tomorrow morning, why not head to the Jersey Shore and help clean up the beach?

Clean Ocean Action is inviting volunteers and organizations to participate in its 27th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps at 75 sites along the Jersey Shore.

Volunteers will not only be picking up trash, but recording every piece of debris they collect on data cards. "It allows us to teach and educate the public about what's washing up on our beaches as well as use that information to advocate for pollution prevention initiatives," said Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Education Coordinator. "The data is extremely helpful in terms of turning that one day into a legacy of information that will hopefully help stop pollution at its source."

The information collected is analyzed and published in annual reports which help identify pollution problems and aid legislators in enacting laws to protect New Jersey's marine environment. "We're not in the business to collect people's garbage," said Danch. "We envision a day where the beaches are naturally clean, where these events are no longer needed."

Clean Ocean Action is encouraging participation from volunteers of all ages. Groups of ten or more are asked to pre-register by calling 732-872-0111 or by using the online sign-up form at www.cleanoceanaction.org. The event will be held from 9am until 12:30pm, rain or shine at the following locations:

ATLANTIC COUNTY LOCATIONS

Atlantic City - Missouri Avenue Beach; Press Event/Rally will be held on the boardwalk.

Atlantic City - Caspian Ave. and N. Maine

Brigantine - 17th St. Beach, South

Egg Harbor Twp.- Longport Dog/Malibu Beach

Longport - 33rd & Atlantic Ave. Beach

Margate - Granville Ave. Beach

Oceanville - Forsythe Wildlife Refuge, Visitors Center

Ventnor - Newport Ave. Beach

CAPE MAY COUNTY LOCATIONS

Avalon - 30th St. Beach

Cape May- - (2 sites)- 1. Nature Center of Cape May (1600 Delaware Ave.) 2. 2nd Ave. Beach

Del Haven - Sunray Beach at Roosevelt Ave. RELOCATED: GANDY'S BEACH (see link below ~ Cumberland County)

North Wildwood - 15th Ave. at Beach Patrol Building PENDING

Ocean City - (2 sites)- 1. 9th St. Music Pier 2. 57th St. Beach

Sea Isle City - JFK Blvd. Beach (October 15th)

Strathmere - Webster Ave. Beach PENDING

Stone Harbor - 95th St. Beach

Wildwood - Poplar Ave. Beach

Wildwood Crest- Centennial Park (Ocean Ave. & Fern Rd.)

CUMBERLAND COUNTY LOCATIONS

Gandy's Beach - Gandy's Beach Preserve; meet at north end of Cove Rd. (2:00-5:00 pm)

BURLINGTON COUNTY LOCATIONS

Delran, NJ - Amico Island Park

ESSEX COUNTY MEETING LOCATION

Glen Ridge/Montclair - (2 sites) 1. Toney's Brook at Glenfield Park- Meet near entrance at Woodland Ave. and Pierson Place 2. "the Glen" at Bloomfield and Ridgewood ave.

Glen Ridge sites end at 11:00a.m.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY LOCATIONS

Old Bridge- Old Bridge Waterfront Park; meet at gazebo of Pirates Cove (for more information contact Scott Meyler (732) 745-3064

South Amboy- Raritan Bay Waterfront Park- Meet at fisherman's parking lot.

MONMOUTH COUNTY LOCATIONS

Aberdeen - Fisherman's Parking Lot at Cliffwood Beach

Allenhurst - Euclid Ave.

Asbury Park - (2 Sites) 1. Convention Hall at the Boardwalk 2. North Beach (meet at the dirt lot near Asbury Towers)

Atlantic Highlands - Harbor parking lot on First Ave.

Avon - Pavilion at Norwood & Ocean Aves.

Belmar - (2 Sites) 1. Belmar Fishing Club, First Ave. Beach (2) 16th Avenue Beach

Bradley Beach - Gazebo at 5th & Ocean Aves.

Brielle- Fisk Avenue and the Public Access Point at the Drawbridge CANCELED

Deal - Philips Ave. Beach

Highlands- (2 sites) 1. Popamore Point on Shore Drive 2. Snug Harbor Ave. Beach (behind Community Center)

Keansburg - Laurel & Beachway Aves.

Keyport - Cedar Street (First Street at waterfront)

Long Branch - Pier Village, meet at public access at Melrose Terrace and Ocean Ave.

Manasquan-Main Street beach

Middletown Twp (3 sites) - 1. Leonardo Public Beach South at Beach Ave.; 2. Ideal Beach at Ocean Ave. & Bayside Pkwy.; 3. Bayshore Waterfront Park meet at Fishing Pier

Monmouth Beach - Bathing Pavilion at 29 Ocean Ave.

Ocean Grove - Main St. Beach; Meet at Flagpole

Red Bank-Meet at Chapin Ave.

Sandy Hook - Parking Lot D (Seagulls' Nest Restaurant) -

Sea Bright (4 sites) - 1. Ferguson Beach, north of Rumson/Sea Bright Bridge; 2. Meet at Gaiter's Restaurant Oceanside; 3. Meet at Algarve Milano oceanside 4. Meet at Public Beach parking lot

Sea Girt - Boardwalk at Beacon Blvd

Spring Lake -South End Pavilion at Atlantic & Ocean Aves

Tinton Falls - Historic Tinton Falls. Meet at Crawford House parking lot.

Union Beach - Florence Ave at Front St

OCEAN COUNTY LOCATIONS

Barnegat - East Bay Ave. Beach CANCELED

Bay Head - Central Market at Rt 35 & Mount St

Beachwood - Public Beach, Compass Ave

Brick - Brick Beach III on Rt 35 North, next to Ocean Club and across from Bayside Park

Lakewood - Lake Carasaljo, meet across from St. Mary's Church on Rt 9 CANCELED

Lavallette - Philadelphia Ave beach

Mantoloking - Lyman Ave Beach

Normandy Beach - Meet at Labrador Lounge at Peterson St & Rt 35 North

Ocean Gate - Wildwood Ave Pier

Ortley Beach - Third Ave beach

Pt. Pleasant - Maxson Ave beach and River Ave beaches

Pt. Pleasant Beach - (2 sites) 1. Jenkinson's Aquarium on the Boardwalk 2. Maryland Ave.

Seaside Heights (2 sites) - 1. Grant Avenue on the Boardwalk; 2. Bayside boat launch along Rt 35 South

Seaside Park (5 sites) - 1. Stockton Ave on the boardwalk; 2. Second Avenue; 3. Midway Beach at 6th Lane; 4. Island Beach State Park - Bathing Pavilion #1 5. 14 th. Avenue & S Bayview Avenue