Scuba Dogs Society announced this Tuesday the opening of the volunteer registry for the International Coastal Cleanup 2026which will be held on Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, on more than 200 coasts, and invited individuals, families, community groups, organizations and companies from all over Puerto Rico to join this collective effort to protect the coastline.
Under the message “We beat for a better Puerto Rico“, Scuba Dogs Society seeks to highlight the power of volunteering as a driver of social-ecological transformation. Beyond contributing time and effort, each person who participates contributes to strengthening their communities, promoting greater environmental awareness and generating positive changes in the relationship between people and their environment, the organization highlighted.
This year’s celebration coincides with the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026proclaimed by the United Nations to recognize the contribution of millions of volunteers throughout the world to the well-being of their communities and sustainable development. This international framework reinforces a principle that Scuba Dogs Society has promoted through its initiatives: Volunteering constitutes a powerful tool for citizen participation, collaboration and transformation.
“Volunteers have the ability to transform not only the places we impact, but also the communities and people who participate. Each person who decides to donate their time and take action demonstrates that we can all contribute to building a Puerto Rico that is more conscious, supportive and committed to its future.”expressed Lara Montillapresident of the Board of Directors of Scuba Dogs Society, through a press release.
The International Coastal Cleanup combines direct citizen action with education and awareness about the impact of waste in coastal and marine ecosystems. Through the experience of participating in a cleanup, volunteers can observe first-hand the magnitude of the problem, better understand the effect of waste on the environment and promote changes in daily practices that contribute to preventing waste from reaching bodies of water.
“A coastal cleanup It allows us to act on an environmental problem that we can see, but it also helps us understand everything that happens behind the waste we find. The volunteer participates, observes, learns and can take that knowledge to their daily routine. “This connection between knowledge and action is essential to generate sustainable environmental changes and make citizens part of the solution.”noted, for his part, the marine biologist Gabriel J. PecuniaProgram Coordinator for Scuba Dogs Society.
How to participate and what to bring?
Interested parties can access this linkwhere you will find the registration for volunteers and detailed information on the International Coastal Cleanup 2026. Once registered, you proceed to choose the municipality where you are interested in participating and, then, the coast of your preference.
Volunteers should come prepared with comfortable, light clothing and closed-toe shoes. In addition, it is recommended to bring sun protection, a hat or cap and sunglasses. It is important to carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during the activity.
Also, participants are encouraged to wear reusable work or gardening gloves, helping to reduce the use and generation of waste associated with disposable gloves during cleaning.