Program coordinates organizations, volunteers in annual coastal cleanup

JUNEAU, Alaska (April 11, 2018) – Every spring, Alaskan Brewing helps clean up Juneau’s wetlands as part of their Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone) program, in addition to the program’s year-round efforts. Alaskan Brewing founded Coastal CODE in 2007 as a way to support organizations and activities that promote the health of oceans and waterways. One percent of all Icy Bay IPA sales go toward the program, which then issues grant money to organizations and projects that promote cleanup activities or habitat restoration. 

“Alaska has over 6,500 miles of coastline, the most of any state in the US,” said Rochelle Rogers, Campaign Coordinator at Alaskan Brewing. “So healthy waterways are incredibly important to us. Many Alaskans live in coastal communities and make their living on the water, and we want to make sure that our oceans, coasts, and other bodies of water stay clean for generations to come.”

Since the program was founded, over $250,000 has been donated and distributed through grants, and over 1 million pounds of trash have been removed from cleanup efforts made possible by the CODE.

“While this program raises money and distributes grants all year long, we get hands-on every spring and get a little dirty making our waterways a lot cleaner,” said Rogers. “This spring, Coastal CODE will work with partners to coordinate a larger cleanup effort than ever before. Nonprofit partners committed to promoting sustainable oceans and waterways will help host cleanups in their communities in conjunction with Coastal CODE. This is the first time we’ve sponsored such a large-scale cleanup effort, and we’re feeling good about how much we’ll be able to accomplish.”

A list of participating communities and Coastal CODE partnership cleanups can be found below:

April 21st in Washington

CoastSavers will host its 18th annual Washington Coastal Cleanup. The cleanup spans about 200 miles of Washington shoreline. Volunteers should pre-register for specific locations online via the CoastSavers website. Information regarding specific meeting locations, check-in times, and volunteer BBQs can be found on the CoastSavers website and may vary by location. Look for Coastal CODE and Icy Bay IPA at the Ozette and Kaloloch Lodge locations. These cleanups are supported by the Kalaloch Lodge and The Lost Resort in conjunction with Coastal CODE.

April 28th in Alaska

Juneau

Alaskan Brewing Co. will partner with Juneau’s Litter Free to host this year’s annual wetlands cleanup from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Volunteers will meet at the small parking lot pull-off on Sunny Point just before Sunny Drive. Bags and gloves will be provided to volunteers.

Alaskan Brewing Co. will host a post-cleanup celebration from 11:30 am till 4:00 pm at the Lemon Creek Tasting Room (5429 Shaune Drive). Forno Rosso Pizzeria pizza truck will be onsite. Cleanup volunteers may enjoy lunch courtesy of Alaskan Brewing from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm with proof of a volunteer wristband.

Ketchikan

Coast Busters will host a cleanup on Gravina Island near the airport from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The cleanup location is accessed via the Airport Ferry. Volunteers should gather on the Ketchikan side to catch the 3:00 pm ferry. Ferry fees will be waived for cleanup volunteers.

Sitka

Sitka Sound Science Center will host a beach cleanup from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Volunteers will meet at the Sitka Science Center (834 Lincoln Street) and will focus on cleaning the road system beaches. The Sitka Science Center will host a BBQ for volunteers following the cleanup.

Homer

Cook Inlet Keeper and the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies will collaborate to host a cleanup in Homer from 10:00 am to12:00 pm. The cleanup will focus on the area around the Anchor River. Volunteers will meet in the beach access parking lot.

Kenai/Soldotna

The Kenai Watershed Forum will host a cleanup from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Volunteers will meet at North Kasilof Beach, and the cleanup will focus on the North and South portions of Kasilof Beach.

Anchorage

Alaskan Brewing Co. and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host the Citywide Cleanup Week Kickoff. Volunteers will meet at The Lakefront Anchorage (4800 Spenard Rd.). The cleanup will feature Plogging – a Scandinavian exercise trend that combines running with picking up litter. The event begins at 3:00 pm, plogging starts at 3:30 pm, and the celebration and prizes will commence at 4:30 pm. More information can be found on the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce website.

May 5th in Fairbanks

The Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District will host Community Cleanup Day in conjunction with the Fairbanks North Star Borough cleanup on May 5th from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Volunteers will meet at the Tanana Lakes Recreational Area.

For questions regarding this year’s Coastal CODE cleanup, contact [email protected]

For more information and updates, check out Alaskan Brewing Co. online at www.alaskanbeer.com. 

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Contact:  Andy Kline, Communications Manager, 907.780.5922.   akline@alaskanbeer.com