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Successful harbor-wide coastal cleanup (See
On Saturday, Sept. 17, over 115 volunteers participated in the first ever Hempstead Harbor-wide coastal cleanup, removing 375 pounds of debris from over a mile of shoreline. A variety of debris was collected including the most commonly found items in New York State and the top of the “Dirty Dozen” list— 1,233 plastic pieces, 876 cigarette butts, 638 bottle caps, and 634 food wrappers.
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With the approval of each municipality, events were held at all publicly accessible Hempstead Harbor beaches. The sites included Town of North Hempstead Beach Park, Tappen Beach, Sea Cliff Beach, and Morgan Park Beach. Coordinated locally by the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor (CSHH), the effort was part of the International Coastal Cleanup, an annual event sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy and the American Littoral Society.
“The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor (CSHH) is appreciative that events like this one require supportive leadership at the municipal level,” said Lisa Cashman, Associate Director for CSHH. “We are grateful to have received this support and especially the deliberate efforts of all the volunteers who gave their time this weekend to clean our shared natural resource of Hempstead Harbor.”
Now in its 37th year, the International Coastal Cleanup is more than just an attempt to clean beaches and waterways. Volunteers from around the world who participate in the cleanup also contribute to a massive data-collection effort by cataloging the type, amount, weight, and location of the debris. The information is then sent to Ocean Conservancy, entered into a database, and analyzed to track trends in pollution, educate the public, and inform long-term solutions for marine debris and its environmental effects.
Participants worked in teams at each of the sites with data collection coordinated by trained volunteers and CSHH staff. The Town of North Hempstead Beach Park was captained by members of Transition Town Port Washington, Tappen Beach was captained by dedicated community members, Sea Cliff Beach was captained by the Sea Cliff Environmental Conservation Commission, and Morgan Park Beach, were captained by Congregation Tifereth Israel.
Representatives from Volunteers for Wildlife were at two of the sites exhibiting diamondback terrapins, and helped to educate participants about the threat coastal debris poses to local wildlife.
About Coalition to Save Hempstead
Harbor (CSHH): Since its founding over 35 years ago, CSHH’s mission has been to identify and eliminate environmental threats in and around Hempstead Harbor. Our
The litter sorting process.
Volunteers picking up trash and logging
items. (Contributed photos)
objective is to advance the public interest in restoring the harbor to its full ecological potential and to promote sustainable practices that will ensure the protection and resiliency of Hempstead Harbor and surrounding communities. —Submitted by Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor with additional reporting by Julie Prisco
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Ceremony At “Yes We Can” On Oct. 12
Office Of Senator Anna M. Kaplan Holds Mobile Office Hours
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Councilmember Robert Troiano, Jr., and the Town Board announced that the Town will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m., with a very special ceremony at North Hempstead’s “Yes We Can” Community Center, 141 Garden St. in Westbury. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct.15.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is an occasion to celebrate the diversity and contributions made by Hispanic-Americans across the country and in the Town of North Hempstead,” said Town Supervisor DeSena. “The Hispanic-American community has helped strengthen our Town in innumerable ways, and this event is a great opportunity to celebrate the lasting and positive impact they’ve had on our communities.”
The event will include live entertainment and celebrate the Hispanic-Americans who have been a positive influence in the North Hempstead community. Food and refreshments will be served. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins each year on Sept.15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with Mexico’s anniversary of its independence on September 16.
North Hempstead’s “Yes We Can” Community Center is located at 141 Garden St. in Westbury. For more information, please call 311 or visit www.northhempsteadny.gov. —Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead
Senator Anna M. Kaplan will be holding four Mobile Office Hours events to provide constituent services and assistance in our community, and to hear from residents about their concerns and issues.
Senator Kaplan’s upcoming mobile office hours will be held at: • Hillside Public Library, 155 Lakeville Rd.,
New Hyde Park – Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. • Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Ave,,
Great Neck – Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. • Port Washington Public Library, 1 Library
Dr., Port Washington – Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 from 4:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m. • The Bryant Library, 2 Papermill Rd.,
Roslyn – Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 from 12 p.m.-2 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary. Contact Senator Kaplan’s office at 516-746-5924 with any questions or if you require any assistance. —Submitted by the Office of Senator Anna Kaplan Senator Anna Kaplan. (Contributed photo)
