Sandals Foundation and Volunteers Lead Coastal Cleanup in Antigua

Volunteers from the Sandals Foundation and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Earth Guardians joined forces on Saturday, September 20, for International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), taking action to protect Antigua’s marine environment.

The team targeted Jabberwock beach, along with the surrounding areas near Sandals Antigua and Dickenson Bay, where they collected debris and restored the coastline. ICCD is a global movement that focuses on reducing solid waste pollution and raising awareness of the impact on water quality, marine organisms, and fragile coastal habitats.

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, said the effort is part of a larger mission. “Empowering communities to take action in protecting our coastlines remains a top priority. Our marine ecosystems are vital sources of sustenance, economic livelihood, and protection from natural disasters, so they must be preserved and safeguarded.”

For more than 16 years, the Sandals Foundation has been at the forefront of regional environmental sustainability. Its work goes beyond annual cleanups, with long-term initiatives such as coral restoration, biodiversity conservation, marine sanctuary management, and education programs that instill a culture of environmental stewardship.

Saturday’s cleanup not only revitalized some of Antigua’s most popular beaches but also reinforced the power of community participation in safeguarding the island’s natural resources for future generations.