CAPE MAY- Cape May Harbor was hammered by last week’s nor’easter storm with major impacts to its coastline.
Large sections of the beaches and marsh were washed away. Three large sailing vessels, one smaller sunfish type and two dinghies were scattered into the harbor’s western cove. Telephone poles, sections of docks and timbers were tossed like matchsticks throughout the shoreline. Hundreds of pounds of plastics, styrofoam and various trash were littered all along the beaches.
The Nature Center of Cape May holds harbor clean-ups twice a year. The next scheduled clean-up is not until April 24, 2010. “The clean up cannot wait,” according to a press release from the Nature Center.
As part of the nature center’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Grant, community outreach and clean-up events will be forthcoming throughout the year. The center is seeking community groups to help pick up trash along the harbor’s edge. The Nature Center will provide the gloves, trash bags, buckets and tools to conduct a clean-up effort.
The Nature Center will document any group’s community service hours and write letters for students and scouts.
“We simply just need your help. Any time you have available, we will make arrangements to have the supplies ready for you. This is a great project for scout troops, church groups, school clubs or even a family group following that big turkey day dinner,” said Nature Center Director Gretchen Ferrante.
Those interested in pitching in to helping to restore our the harbor, protect marine life or simply make a positive impact, contact Ferrante at 609-898-8848.
