The Barnegat Bay Blitz (‘Blitz’) is an annual watershed-wide clean up event that brings together hundreds of volunteers with one goal in mind: keeping our land and water clean by removing litter from neighborhoods throughout the Barnegat Bay Watershed. Since 2011, the Blitz has been making an immense difference for the health of the Barnegat Bay.
What’s a Watershed?
New Jersey has 20 Watershed Management Areas (WMAs). Each WMA has smaller watersheds and subwatersheds within it. A watershed is defined by the body of water that it drains into – thus, in the Barnegat Bay Watershed, the land area drains into, you guessed it, the Barnegat Bay.
It’s hard to imagine on a daily basis, but all water is connected. When it rains, water flows over the land and roads and trickles down into storm drains, rivers, and streams. Trash, like water, travels through those same storm drains into local streams, rivers, and eventually the bay and ocean.
Making a Difference
Picking up a single plastic bottle prevents its decomposition into thousands of microplastics that would harm wildlife and enter the food chain. Every little bit helps.
With a large goal of having cleanup events in each municipality, the Blitz strives to bring the community together and make a difference, all usually within the span of one week. This year, we have expanded the Blitz to two weeks. That covers three full weekends, allowing more flexibility for volunteers and captains alike.
How to Participate
The Barnegat Bay Watershed covers most of the 33 municipalities in Ocean County, four in Monmouth County, and one in Burlington County. Currently, 19 municipalities will be participating in the Blitz, with 25 clean ups occurring over the course of two weeks.
If you would like to lead a clean-up and volunteer as a captain, there is still time! Email Caroline McFarland, Stewardship Specialist at the Barnegat Bay Partnership, at cmcfarland@ocean.edu.
Check out our website for information on each of the cleanups happening during the Blitz. When you attend a clean up event, make sure you wear sturdy shoes (no flip flops or sandals). Bring your own reusable water bottle and your enthusiam. See you out there!
