Join The Cleanup Club and Sleeping Bear Surf for a cleanup on the Platte River amidst Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, as we work together to protect our Great Lakes from plastic pollution in celebration of Earth Month! 🌊
Every year 22+ million pounds of plastic pollution enters our Great Lakes, with an estimated 11 million of that ending up in Lake Michigan. Woah. With thousands upon thousands of visitors to Platte River and Platte Point each summer, many of whom indulge in on the water fiesta, the plastic pollution amidst the park is in desperate need of attention!
That’s why we need your help! Let’s work together to help protect our beautiful freshwater ecosystem and stop the stream of rubbish before it enters Lake Michigan! As the main artery amidst the lakeshore, Platte River is home to a beautiful, fragile ecosystem – inhabited by various fish species, birds, turtles, and mammals. Plastic pollution is a threat to that vital ecosystem. Every item that winds up amidst that beautiful River is bound for the big lake and beyond.
WHAT TO KNOW:
Our goal is to cleanup the riverbed while having fun!
Everyone & anyone is welcome – some paddling experience required.
This will be a Point A to Point B paddle and therefore we encourage you to have a buddy meet you, or we will help coordinate ride shares to ensure all are able to leave a car at our final destination or get a ride back to start upon our arrival!
All cleanup materials will be provided.
All trash we collect will be weighed, counted and categorized with the help of volunteers for Great Lakes plastic pollution research & advocacy efforts.
WHAT TO BRING:
Non-motorized watercraft of choice (paddle board / kayak / canoe) + paddle + leash (for paddle boards)
Life jacket (per Coast Guard regulation, PFDs must be on the bodies of all kayak & canoe paddlers, and either worn or strapped to all SUPs)
A SBD National Park Pass or bring a couple bucks for Lake Township to park at Platte Point Beach, our final destination
A buddy! Anything is always so much more swell with a friend in tow!
A reusable water bottle so you can stay hydrated with provided water refills without the single-use plastic! 🌎
MEET YOUR EVENT HOSTS:
The Cleanup Club is a Michigan based 501c3 nonprofit founded by environmental activist & artist, Hannah Tizedes, dedicated to protecting our communities & Great Lakes from plastic pollution while having fun through cleanups & creativity!
Sleeping Bear Surf — established in 2004 — is Michigan’s first full-service surf shop, built upon a love for the lake and the joy of riding waves! The shop is nestled in the village of Empire in the heart of the sandy shorelines of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Visit them for adventure rentals, community events, surf lessons, retail & lots more!
We hope to see you there! 😊