Cleanup scheduled for Ft. Pickens and Perdido Key

The National Park Service and Escambia County are teaming up for the boaters and pedestrians beach cleanup at Fort Pickens and for boaters only at Perdido Key, Saturday, May 6, 8a.m. noon.

"This is our first organized public cleanup event at Fort Pickens and Perdido Key since Hurricane Ivan struck two years ago," said Superintendent Jerry Eubanks. Boaters must pre-register by Monday, April 24 by

calling 934-2668 or emailing B e c k i e _ B r e e d i n g Mims@nps.gov. Pre-registered boats can launch for free from the Pensacola Marine Complex on Bayou Chico, located at 700 South Myrick. Bags and a dumpster will be provided for the debris. Pedestrians will meet at the parking lot outside of the entrance to Fort Pickens and walk in as far as they want. "We're not documenting the debris. We just want to clean up

the island from all the storm activity," explained Eubanks. The Fort Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore reopened to pedestrians and recreational boaters on April 1; however the road is still inaccessible to vehicular traffic.

For additional information on this or other programs offered at the Seashore contact the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at 850934-2600 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/guis.