KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The second annual Kodiak Coast Walk is set for this weekend. The event, sponsored by Kodiak Island Trails Network, or ITN, provides bags to folks wanting to clean up some of the island’s 81 beaches along the road system. Items are then delivered to ITN, who will sort and store the marine debris, which isn’t accepted at the landfill.
To get an understanding of what kind of debris folks will be picking up on beaches this weekend, KMXT sent reporter Brianna Gibbs to clean up the Buskin Beach with ITN’s Director of Marine Programs, Tom Pogson.
The two spent less than 30 minutes cleaning 40 feet of beach at the Buskin River earlier this week, which resulted in roughly 35 pounds of debris. It was a small glimpse of what’s out there on Kodiak’s beaches, and folks can help with clean up efforts during the second annual Coast Walk this weekend.
People can pick up bags between 8 a.m. and noon in the parking lot of the Little School of Dance on Saturday and Sunday. There they can also look at a map of Kodiak beaches and sign up for where they’d like to go, that way there isn’t any overlap. Then, between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. full bags can be dropped off at Pier II in the fenced area north of the Horizon office.
There will also be a Coast Walk kickoff barbecue at the Fort Abercrombie State Park group shelter on Friday from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. It is a potluck, so bring a dish to share. Bags and maps will be provided there.
