Ahead of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026, environmental organizers are already building on early momentum to expand conservation efforts to underprotected local ecosystems. The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN), fresh off the success of its September 19 International Coastal Cleanup Day activities, has announced a follow-up initiative: the ‘Do It Twice’ community cleanup campaign, scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at McKinnons Wetlands.
McKinnons Wetlands, a critical coastal ecosystem that supports regional biodiversity and climate resilience, has accumulated large volumes of discarded human waste over time. Site surveys conducted by ESFN teams have identified a wide range of debris clogging the wetland, from single-use plastic bottles to bulk discarded materials including old stoves, construction tiles, and other improperly disposed items that threaten native wildlife and disrupt natural hydrological processes.
The upcoming cleanup is open to all members of the public, with a particular focus on engaging youth and local residents from surrounding communities. ESFN volunteer teams will arrive on site at 6:00 AM to prepare staging areas, and the community cleanup will run from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Beyond just removing accumulated waste, the event is designed to educate participants about the vital ecological role of coastal wetlands, connecting hands-on action with tangible learning outcomes.
Britney McDonald, Portfolio Manager for ESFN, emphasized the need for sustained action beyond a single annual cleanup day. “One day of action is not enough to reverse long-term damage to critical ecosystems,” McDonald explained. “The ‘Do It Twice’ campaign lets us carry the momentum from International Coastal Cleanup Day to a second, at-risk site that often flies under the radar when it comes to conservation attention. It has to change, and we are part of the solution.”
Wetlands are among the most ecologically valuable ecosystems on the planet, providing a wide range of benefits that directly support human and non-human life alike. They serve as critical habitat, nesting grounds, and breeding areas for birds, pollinators including bees, and countless other native species. These pollinators, in turn, underpin global agricultural productivity and food security. Wetlands also act as natural flood control infrastructure, absorbing storm surge and slowing runoff to reduce the impact of extreme weather events on nearby communities, making their protection a core component of climate resilience planning.
This campaign is not a one-off initiative for ESFN, but rather an extension of the organization’s ongoing commitment to youth environmental engagement. Over the summer and continuing through December, ESFN’s internship program has offered young people and youth groups hands-on experience working with wetland ecosystems across the region. These programs combine environmental education with practical, on-the-ground conservation work, helping the next generation of environmental stewards develop a deep understanding of their local ecosystems and the actions needed to protect them.
ESFN frames the ‘Do It Twice’ campaign as part of its broader mission to advance sustainable development education, grassroots community participation, and targeted environmental action. The organization is always open to new partnerships and community support for future cleanups, wetland conservation projects, environmental education programming, and other community-led conservation initiatives.
For community members interested in joining the September 26 cleanup at McKinnons Wetlands, registration is available online at https://qrco.de/bh0qwm.