A Day at the Beach

Puerto Rico may be known as the "Isla Encantadora" (the enchanting isle), but it has a less-than-enchanting problem with litter. Public beaches in Puerto Rico are often marred by heaps of garbage, sometimes just feet from garbage cans provided by coastal authorities. Playa Jobos and Playa Mar Chiquita stand out as particularly trash-covered. Snorkelers in Puerto Rico may excitedly spy a glint of light from the bottom of a colorful reef, only to be disappointed when they find a crushed beer can. Sunbathers must choose their sand carefully to avoid the waste of their fellow beach-goers.

After a holiday weekend when locals and tourists to Puerto Rico alike hit the beaches, dozens of DRNA clean-up crews hit the beaches to pick up the trash. If you're looking for a way to help keep Puerto Rico beautiful, volunteering with the DRNA clean-up effort may be the perfect way to pitch in and log some hours at the beach. The crews are generally made up of a DRNA employee leading a volunteer student group, making it easy for solo travelers to join in with little advance notice. This is a great opportunity to get to know Puerto Rico's beaches and the people who maintain them for the enjoyment of Puerto Rican travelers and locals alike.

Call one of the region DRNA offices in Aguadilla (882-5893), Arecibo (878-9048), Mayagüez (833-3700), or Ponce (723-1373) to join other volunteers in the effort to combat litter.