Cape-to-Cape annual Beach Clean-Up seeks volunteers as it celebrates 20 years

The region’s peak conservation group is calling for passionate community members to get involved in this month’s WA Beach Clean-Up.

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region volunteers will team up with residents in the Tangaroa Blue-backed annual effort to haul trash from beaches while contributing important data to scientific monitoring.

Nature Conservation coastal officer Mandy Polley urged surfers, hikers, fishers and anyone who enjoyed the coast to get involved and help “keep our coast pristine”.

“Our beaches are a playground for families, surfers and beach-lovers,” she said.

“We’re urging everyone to register your favourite beach or special location and give just a couple of hours of your time to help keep it clean.”

Tangaroa Blue Foundation senior project co-ordinator Casey Woodward said the 2024 event marked 20 years of efforts to protect the region’s coastline.

“Every year, community groups, organisations, supporters, schools and individuals come together at the WA Beach Clean-up,” she said.

“In this special year, we want to make the clean-up the biggest and best yet.”

Ms Woodward said more than 45 tonnes of rubbish had been collected during the annual event’s lifetime, with the finds recorded in the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database and used to develop plans to reduce waste before it reached the ocean.

Participants can also mingle at Margaret River Brewhouse at a one-off Sip ‘n’ Sort on October 13 from 2.30pm to 4pm.

“Complete your beach clean-up and bring the debris along to our event, where we will help you sort and enter your finds into the AMDI database,” Ms Woodward said.

“We are lucky to be joined by our chief executive Heidi Tait, who is making the special trip over from Queensland to be back where the WABCU started two decades ago.”

The beach clean-up runs from October 11 to 14, with registrations available online.