Army of Volunteers Cleans Up Marina, Along Sandy Hook Bay and More

More than a thousand volunteers belonging to 27 organizations participated in Clean Ocean Action's fourth Waves of Action for the Shore event Saturday by clearing out debris and attempting to restore ecosystems in 30 locations throughout New York and New Jersey. 

Volunteers cleaned up debris stuck in the marshes and beaches along Sandy Hook Bay, at Monmouth Cove Marina in Port Monmouth, Ideal Beach in Middletown and at a residence in Highlands. 

Elsewhere, they combed through the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway, in Tuckerton and areas of Brigantine. Other groups removed debris from waterways in Long Branch, Deal and Neptune, among others. 

Volunteers also installed a new osprey nesting platform in Stafford Township, according to the group.

The Waves of Action program is a response to the impact of Hurricane Sandy. One of the goals is to help improve and protect the marine environment, which is done by engaging a network of organizations, businesses, citizens, and municipalities to help coastal communities throughout New Jersey.

Action events are held monthly. 

Cindy Zipf, COA executive director, said the focus of this month's program was on wildlife habitats. The hope is that they can be made ready for the return of migratory species, especially those in nesting areas. 

For more information about Waves of Action for the Shore or to learn about how to volunteer, visit http://fortheshore.org/