BTNEP: 2026 International Coastal Cleanup at Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge

The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP), Nicholls State University and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) are hosting a beach sweep at Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge to coincide with the Ocean Conservancy’s annual International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19, 2026. The Elmer’s Island event will start at 10 am and will end at Noon with a group photo.  During the beach sweep, volunteers will remove, categorize, and weigh trash and debris.  Data will be collated and sent to the Ocean Conservancy to be included in the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup database and report (to be released in 2027).

All volunteers must provide their own transportation to the site and are required to pre-register for this event. We will supply data sheets, clipboards, and garbage bags.  Please bring a bucket to collect debris to help us reduce the number of garbage bags used for the Cleanup.  Please pack snacks if you think you will want them.  We ask all volunteers to bring a reusable water bottle to reduce the amount of trash we generate from the event.  We will provide coolers of water to refill reusable volunteer water bottles.  Bottled water will not be provided.

To register for the International Coastal Cleanup at Elmer’s Island on Saturday, September 19, 2026, please provide the following information. Volunteers under 18 years old must be accompanied by a guardian and must have a guardian sign a waiver at the registration table at the Cleanup.  You will be contacted the week of the event by e-mail with more event details. Thank you and see you at the beach!