Thursday, October 1, 2026
"Humans aren't the only things in the world," said Tenzin Jangchup, an apprentice training investigator with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society — an environmental organization based in Hampton Bays.
"For us, you don't want to see trash on the beach. It doesn't look good." explained Jangchup, discussing the importance of beach cleanups. "But the stuff we do affects animals and the ecosystem itself. Plants, as well. It's just keeping in mind that everything that you do has some sort of effect on it."
The Town of Hempstead has partnered with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, also known as AMSEAS, for more than 15 years to protect the environment by removing human-made debris, as well as environmental debris that washes ashore, which threatens the local ecosystem, water life and water quality. AMSEAS also attends to calls regarding beached sea turtles, dolphins and whales.
The groups hold monthly cleanups, calling on volunteers to stroll the local beaches with claw-pinchers and five-gallon buckets, collecting whatever they find.
This year, the venture began in March with nearly 100 volunteers collecting more than 300 pounds of debris at Lido Beach Town Park. In April, another 100-plus participants met at Lido Beach to remove nearly 160 pounds of litter. On May 30, over 110 people took more than 110 pounds of refuse off the Point Lookout beachfront.
"I played at this beach as a kid," said Debbie Wood, a Levittown resident. "I wanted to join in these things. I'm retired now, so I'm really glad that I can. Wood continued explaining, "I love Long Island. We have beautiful beaches. It's a gorgeous place and we've got to keep it clean."
Farther down the beach, Dean Burch was one of six Wantagh High School students walking the beach as part of the community cleanup effort. "We're doing this for a marine bio college credit class," Burch explained. "We get credit for Molloy."
Among the litter collected in the recent cleanup was one oar, a long scrub brush, several fast food bags, multiple cans and bottles and a collection of roofing tiles.
"Sooner or later, debris from the beach can wash into the ocean," said Steve Sywak, a volunteer with the organization. "When it washes into the ocean, it can be a hazard for the animals. Sea turtles can eat a plastic bag thinking that it's a jellyfish and, if it blocks the stomach, which it quite often can do, it can kill them."
Two additional monthly beach cleanups are planned at Point Lookout Town Park — July 25 and Oct. 25 — with three more at Lido Beach Town Park — June 28, Aug. 23 and Sept. 26. Each will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, divided into two 90-minute sessions; participants are asked to attend only one session per day. Collection buckets and equipment are provided, but organizers recommend bringing gloves.
Enthusiastic cleaning is appreciated but, for safety, be sure to stay off the jetties at all times. Venturing onto the rocks is hazardous and prohibited for volunteers. To register for one of the events, visit hempsteadny.gov/856/beach-cleanups.
