BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — The Aquarium of Niagara held its annual Beach Cleanup at Ft. Niagara State Park on Saturday.
More than 70 people came out to clear trash from along the beach and the shoreline.
This year volunteers removed more than 400 pounds of trash, keeping it out of the water and protecting important aquatic ecosystems.
"There was a time in life when this beach was closed because the pollution was so bad and we never want to see that happen again," said Lewiston-Porter teacher Joy Khatib. "We learn from our mistakes, these kids know that this is their community. It's up to them to keep it clean. It's up to them to make a difference."
This beach cleanup is part of the International Coastal Cleanup. Over the aquarium's many years of participation, volunteers have removed more than 10,000 pounds of trash from the Lake Ontario shoreline.
