Mastic Beach Conservancy is excited to announce that its annual Earth Day Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. This year, the group returns to the Sheepen Creek and Cranberry Dock areas, the site of the Conservancy’s very first cleanup event. Little Saltie Trail, one of the most cherished segments in the 6.5-mile trail system the Conservancy has been planning and advocating for since its founding, is part of the cleanup area. 

Volunteers should meet at Marina 5 (732 Riviera Drive, Mastic Beach) at 10 a.m. Garbage bags, gloves, and grabbers will be provided. Participants should wear long pants, tall socks, and water-resistant footwear.

“This event is a hands-on way to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the long-term restoration of our coastline,” said David Yun, vice president of Mastic Beach Conservancy. “Our goal is to not only remove debris, but to educate and empower residents to be stewards of our waterfront.”

Mastic Beach Conservancy’s previous cleanups have drawn hundreds of participants and led to the removal of hundreds of bags of litter from wetlands, beaches, and stormwater channels. These efforts have improved local ecosystems while strengthening community support for conservation projects like the Brookhaven Town Ecological Restoration and Suffolk County’s Violet Cove restoration, which recently received over $1 million in state funding for design by the world renowned nArchitects. The county has also received another $2 million in funding to start the restoration. 

“The energy and commitment we’ve seen from residents continues to be the backbone of our work,” said Maura Spery, president of the Board of Directors. “This Earth Day marks another opportunity to come together, clean up, and push forward on our shared vision for a greener, more resilient Mastic Beach.”

The Earth Day Cleanup is free and open to all ages.

Can’t make it to the cleanup? Take your cleanup local! We’re encouraging everyone—especially those who can’t attend in person—to grab a few friends or family members and clean up your block, your street, or your neighborhood. Then share a photo of your local cleanup and tag @masticbeachconservancy on Instagram to help spread the word and inspire others to get involved! Additional cleanups and educational events are planned for the summer and fall, including horseshoe crab counts, our annual Race the Narrows (July 19), Sea Creatures and Kids Day, birding walks, and our annual Bivalve Ball fundraiser (Sept. 27).

To join the MBC mailing list, visit masticbeachconservancy.org.