The creation of the alliance was announced Monday by the founding members: the Grass Roots Garbage Gang, Lions Club International, the Northwest Interpretive Association, the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Olympic National Park, the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association, the Surfrider Foundation and the State Parks and Recreation Commission.

The alliance wants to increase public awareness of the threats and causes of marine debris and will continue – and expand upon – the many successful beach cleanup events that happen each year along Washington’s coast, said David Lindau, CoastSavers program coordinator.

“We were all aware of each others’ efforts and to some extent helping each other. We realized it was time to join forces, stop trying to reinvent the wheel,” Lindau said.

Volunteers like the Long Beach Peninsula’s Grass Roots Garbage Gang, the Four Wheel Drive Association and participants in the annual Olympic Coast Cleanup have established successful annual cleanup traditions.

“We have a long history of volunteer activism to remove marine debris from Washington’s coast,” said Shelly Pollock of the Grass Roots Garbage Gang. “Over the years, thousands of people have removed tons of debris from our beaches, putting their concern for the coast into productive action.”

The Garbage Gang has been cleaning the 28-mile peninsula since November 2001.

The alliance will be the driving force behind the Olympic Coast Cleanup in April and will support the other cleanups.

In addition to the one-day cleanups, the alliance hopes to develop year-round programs including adopt-a-beach, classroom activities, debris awareness for businesses and community groups, and a DebrisTracker.

“When I started the Olympic Coast Cleanup years ago, I could only dream that the idea would catch on the way it has,” said Jan Klippert, founder of the Olympic Coast Cleanup.

Klippert began the cleanup in 2000. Since then, 3,856 volunteers have removed an estimated 187 tons of debris, an average of 97 pounds per volunteer.

“I’m excited about what’s happening. I’ve been running the cleanup from my computer for eight years, and it has gotten pretty complex,” Klippert said. “We now have the alliance who are going to carry this thing on.

“I’ve done this for eight years, and I’ve enjoyed doing it, but there is some relief on my part. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people, and we have done some important work.”

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640

blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure

How you can help

cleanup events

Jan. 26: Long Beach Winter Cleanup

April 26: Washington Coast Cleanup Day

July 5: Long Beach Summer Cleanup

Sept. 20: Operation Shore Patrol

To learn more

For more information and to sign up for this year’s cleanup events, visit the Washington Clean Coast Alliance Web site at www.coastsavers.org.