Get Ready to Clean the Beaches and Dig for the Biggest Clam

The have a busy few weeks coming up — a major beach cleanup, a work shop and the annual clam contest.

In conjunction with Ocean Conservancy’s 27th annual International Coastal Clean Up, the East Hampton Trustees organized a beach clean-up on the bay and ocean side for Saturday.

But they need residents' help. Garbage bags, gloves and special recycling decoder cards are available at the trustees' office on Bluff Road in Amagansett any day before Saturday. Between noon and 3 p.m., the trustees will pick up the trash on the ocean beach between and the western boundary of the State Park on the Napeague Stretch. "Please be sure to place all collected items well above the high tide mark by 3 p.m.," a statement from the trustees said.

Then, between 5 and 6 p.m., the trustees will pick up garbage collected from the beaches adjacent to Gerard Drive and Louse Point Road. Trash should be left beside the town trash receptacles.

"If you would like to clean up another beach area, please contact the trustees," they said. "During the clean-up, please try to separate recyclables from the trash, using the special decoder card provided, and recycle the items from home as you normally would."

It serves as a reminder that land-based trash can become marine debris, which can be harmful to our health, as well as harmful to marine inhabitants and other wildlife.

The trustees are hosting one of the 2012 Marine Meadows Workshops, sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, on Sept. 23, the same day as the trustees' Largest Clam Contest, which starts at noon.

Residents compete to see who can harvest the largest clam from East Hampton waters. Prizes are awarded to an adult and child who harvest the largest clam from each harbor. The largest clam from all the harbors will be awarded a plaque and prize as well.

Last year, Edward F. Hoff took home top honors with that he took out of the mud in Napeague. A 1.79-pound clam out of Napeague entered by Cameron McAwliffethat won the junior category.

Homemade clam chowder chefs will also vie for a prize. There will also be a raw bar and light refreshments while the judging begins.

As for the workshop, the trustees are partnering with the Extension to help restore marine habitat to Napeague Harbor. The workshop is free and will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.

Advance registration is requested. For more info or to register, contact Kimberly Barbour at kp237@cornell.edu or 631-852-8660 ext. 27.