Volunteers to clean up Birch Bay after Fourth of July fireworks

Those looking to help improve their local environment recover from the after effects of July 4 fireworks celebrations can contribute at the July 5 Beach Cleanup along the berm in Birch Bay.

The post-July 4 cleanup will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 5 at Birch Bay Beach Park, 7930 Birch Bay Drive. Volunteers can bring their own gear, though gloves, bags, tools and trash grabbers will be provided.

The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce partnered with community organizations for help, including Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management Division, Whatcom County Health and Community Services, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Whatcom County Public Works, the Whatcom Conservation District and more to organize the annual beach cleanup.

In 2024, hundreds of volunteers collected more than 10,000 pounds of trash from Birch Bay’s shoreline. Over the past eight years, the cleanup has taken 70,900 pounds of trash off the beach.

Volunteers are asked to bag as much trash and firework debris as they can along Birch Bay Drive, then move the bags along the roadside where they will be picked up by Whatcom County Sheriff’s  Office.

Efforts to pick up trash will help protect sea creatures, pets, birds and humans from the harmful effects of firework trash, according to the chamber. For more information, visit bit.ly/3I70fIh.