If you are a water lover and enjoy the beach or water sports, it is time to give back to the precious natural resource that has entertained you, and to its ecosystem. You may become a volunteer under any of the programs described below and participate in cleanups in coastal zones and bodies of water on Puerto Rico.

1. A Toda Costa Volunteer Program:

(a) Places where you may volunteer services

Across the island of Puerto Rico

(b) Leading organization: Scuba Dogs Society, a nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico

To learn more about this organization, you may read the “delve!” subsection and the organization’s website (scubadogssociety.org).

(c) Volunteer works

Year-round environmental conservation activities such as cleanups in coasts and bodies of water (e.g.: marine waters, rivers, estuaries, and streams), and compilation of data and statistics regarding solid waste gathered as a result of the cleanups.

For information about other volunteer service opportunities, you may read the organization’s website or contact the organization.

(d) Minimum required qualifications to participate as a volunteer

Cleanups on the Coast and in Rivers:

(i) Adults, and minors who are at least 10 years old may participate,

(ii) Minors may participate subject to prior written authorization by parent or legal guardian. Minors need to be supervised by parent or legal guardian during the volunteer activity.

Compilation of Solid Waste Statistics:

(i) Adults, and minors who are at least 13 years old may participate,

(ii) Minors may participate subject to prior written authorization by parent or legal guardian.

You may contact the organization for more information about the required qualifications to participate in volunteer activities.

(e) Organization’s website: scubadogssociety.org

(f) Contact information

Argenis Cátala Sánchez, A Toda Costa Program Coordinator, T.:787-454-4920, E.: atodacosta@scubadogssociety.org

2. International Coastal Cleanup Event

(a) Event

Over 90 countries participate each year in the International Coastal Cleanup Event, organized worlwide by Ocean Conservancy, an organization that strives to protect the ocean and its ecosystem. Throughout many years, Puerto Rico has participated in this event.

(b) Official event coordinator in Puerto Rico: Scuba Dogs Society

According to Scuba Dogs Society, around 200 coastal zones and waterways in Puerto Rico are cleaned during the International Coastal Cleanup Event as a result of a collaborative effort among the government and private sectors, community leaders, organizations and thousands of volunteers.

(c) Event date

Every year in September

Please contact Scuba Dogs Society for information about the event date.

(d) Volunteer works

Tasks such as solid waste collection in coastal zones and nearby waters, and compilation of solid waste data.

(e) Minimum required qualifications to participate as a volunteer

(i) Adults, and minors who are at least 10 years old may participate,

(ii) Minors may participate subject to prior written authorization by parent or legal guardian. Minors need to be supervised by parent or legal guardian during the volunteer activity.

You may contact the organization for more information about the required qualifications to participate in this event.

(f) Organization’s website: scubadogssociety.org

(g) Contact information

Argenis Cátala Sánchez, A Toda Costa Program Coordinator, T.:787-454-4920, E.: atodacosta@scubadogssociety.org

Note: The information provided herein is based on information submitted by the volunteer program organization. Please contact the organization for any updated information regarding the volunteer program.