On Sunday, November 21, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers from the WeLoveU Foundation beautified and cleaned up the shorelines of Broad Channel, NY. The cleanup was part of WeLoveU’s environmental initiative called the Clean WORLD Movement. On November 21, WeLoveU mobilized volunteers in New York and Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to clean with Power Home Remodeling.  

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Returning to Jamaica Bay

Ninety-eight volunteers with bright smiles and enthusiasm came to Broad Channel American Park to help the American Littoral Society. The American Littoral Society is a coastal conservation non-profit that promotes marine life and habitat conservation. The WeLoveU Foundation is familiar with cleaning Jamaica Bay. In 2012, hundreds of volunteers removed more than 12,000 pounds of trash. In 2019, 140 WeLoveU volunteers planted thousands of marsh grass in Sunset Cove Park.

Senator Joseph Addabbo stopped by the cleanup site to share his appreciation. “This whole area of my district has so much going on environmentally: protecting erosion at West Pond, Sunset Cove allowing access. Your work here is so consistent with what’s going on down here, so thank you; it does matter,” expressed Senator Joseph Addabbo. “It makes a long-lasting impression for generations. Thank you very much.”

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Cleaning Helps Protect Horseshoe Crabs

Broad Channel American Park is home to various types of marine life and marshes, including horseshoe crabs. WeLoveU worked with the American Littoral Society Director Don Riepe and Jamaica Bay Restoration Corps Program Manager Alexandra Kanonik to coordinate the cleanup.

Mr. Riepe explained the horseshoe crab’s important role in the Jamaica Bay ecosystem. During the springtime, horseshoe crabs lay billions of eggs along the coast that feed birds, fish, and other wildlife. From a medical perspective, the crabs’ blood can detect traces of bacteria and is used to test the purity levels of vaccines and blood transfusions. Therefore, keeping Broad Channel American Park clean is beneficial for all: park visitors and dwellers like the horseshoe crab.

In a short time, the volunteers worked diligently to collect plastics, debris, and weeds. In all, the group collected 180 bags of trash, weighing about 800 pounds. WeLoveU hopes to continue promoting a clean and safe environment for all in Broad Channel American Park.