On October 26th, members of MacArthur High School's Environmental Club, advised by Dr. Friedman and Mr. Zausin, joined the Town of Hempstead's Beach Cleanup at Point Lookout Beach, partnering with local residents to remove marine debris. Students collected and categorized trash?plastic bottles, food wrappers, fishing line, and more?while learning to record and report data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Their findings contribute to NOAA's Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project, which tracks pollution trends and helps reduce waste in oceans.

Marine and beach pollution threaten wildlife, water quality, and public health. Plastics and other debris endanger marine life and break down into harmful microplastics that contaminate the food chain. Through NOAA's cleanups, communities collect data that guide efforts to prevent pollution at its source. By participating, MacArthur's Environmental Club not only helped restore the shoreline but also strengthened their understanding of how local action supports global ocean conservation.