Beach cleanup on Marsh Island, Fairhaven

Marsh Island, Fairhaven, November 1, 2, 4, 5
In a massive collaboration between the CCS Beach Brigade, Operation Clean Sweep, Buzzards Bay Coalition, Fairhaven-Acushnet Land Preservation Trust and the municipalities of New Bedford and Fairhaven, four days of intensive cleanup and data collection will take place on Marsh Island in the Acushnet River estuary on Saturday, November 1, and Monday through Wednesday, November 3-5, 2025.

Located on the Fairhaven side of the river and attached to the mainland, debris has accumulated on the shore of this peninsula for decades. It is expected that over 3 tons of lightweight plastic items will be removed, in addition to heavier debris. Registration is required. All are welcome to join this concerted effort and details will be sent to all registrants. A safety orientation will begin each day and equipment and tools will be provided by the hosts.

The Marsh Island cleanup is funded by a Southern New England Environmental Program’s Watershed Implementation Grant awarded to Center for Coastal Studies to conduct marine debris cleanups on inhabited and uninhabited islands in southern Massachusetts.