Aruba Reef and Beach Clean Up: One Voluntourism Initiative That Works
Voluntourism generally gets a bad rap, and often for good reason. At the same time, though, there do exist a number of viable programs and initiatives that well-meaning travelers can take part in to benefit the communities they visit along their travels. The Aruba Reef and Beach Clean Up is one of them.
The annual event is the Happy Island’s largest volunteer initiative, attracting hundreds of visitors and locals. A non-profit group called The Aruba Reef Care Foundation (ARCF) organizes the event. Their mission: raise awareness of Aruba’s marine environment and the importance of its protection.
The seas and shores we encounter in the Caribbean are largely clean and pristine. Overall, though, the world’s seas are becoming increasingly clogged with litter. Ocean Conservancy studies show that our waterways contain a staggering 150 million metric tons of plastics. That tally grows by an added eight million metric tons each year.
Aruba Reef and Beach Clean Up volunteers have worked hard to keep Aruba’s shores litter-free for nearly 30 years! Participants can choose to join the shoreside coastal cleanup effort. The more adventurous, though, can don snorkel/SCUBA gear to tidy up Aruba’s dive and snorkel sites.
The 2020 ARCF Reef & Beach Clean Up was canceled, for obvious reasons, but the 2021 event is a go! The good, clean fun is slated for Sunday, October 3rd. To sign up, or receive additional details, contact The Aruba Reef Care Foundation via email at reefcarearuba@gmail.com.
Related Posts
Easing Down Eagle Beach, Aruba
Sunning It Up On Eagle Beach, Aruba
