LI Earth Day Cleanup Yields 87 Lbs. Of Trash, 376 Cigarette Butts

NOYAC, NY — A group of dedicated volunteers worked to beautify the East End recently, one pound of trash at a time.

In celebration of Earth Day 2025, Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker partnered with local organizations and volunteers for a cleanup at Long Beach, also known as Foster Memorial Beach, in Noyac. The event, held on Monday, April 22, brought together 32 participants who spent several hours removing debris and protecting a local shoreline, she said.

The cleanup was organized in collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation Eastern Long Island Chapter, Relic | Protect Our Oceans, the South Fork Natural History Museum, HUGs, the Noyac Civic Council, and the Town of Southampton's Parks and Recreation Services, "showcasing a strong commitment to environmental protection and community action," Welker said.

By the end of the day, the team had collected 87 lbs. of trash, including 376 cigarette butts, along with various plastic items and marine debris — preventing pollution from harming local ecosystems and marine life in Peconic Bay, she said.

"Earth Day is a reminder that even the smallest actions — like picking up a piece of trash or choosing reusable items — can help protect the places we love," Welker said. "When we come together as a community, those efforts grow stronger and make a lasting difference."

First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global movement inspiring environmental awareness and action. The local effort at Long Beach highlighted the importance of grassroots participation in protecting Suffolk County’s natural landscapes, while also raising awareness about the long-term environmental harm caused by single-use plastics, she said.

"I’m grateful to everyone who gave their time and energy this Earth Day," Welker said. "Clean water and healthy coasts are essential to our way of life here, and efforts like this bring us one step closer to a more sustainable future."