Local beachcombers are invited to join volunteers from the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center on Friday, Sept. 26 to help cleanup Pemaquid Beach. This effort is part of the Coastal Cleanup campaign — the largest volunteer event in the state — that takes place annually during Maine Coastweek.

The Pemaquid Beach cleanup is a great opportunity to put your beachcombing skills to work in a way that will benefit the community, the environment and the planet.

We will collect and inventory as much trash and marine debris as possible in the time allotted and our tallies will be added to state and national totals compiled by the Ocean Conservancy.

The information is used in many ways including: identifying areas of highest trash concentration; tracking trends in the types of trash found, and determining if current conservancy efforts to reduce trash are making an impact.

The cleanup will take place rain or shine between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and volunteers can work for all or part of the time. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring a sturdy pair of work gloves. Clipboards, data sheets and garbage bags will be provided.

Pemaquid Beach Park is located off Snowball Hill Road in Bristol.

To preregister for this event or for more information, contact Lisa Ouellette at the Darling Marine Center, 207-563-8202 or email lisao@maine.edu.