MSC Bimini Cleanup Returns September 19 with Call for Expanded Community Participation

BIMINI, BAHAMAS – The MSC Foundation is inviting the Bimini community to come together on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for a World Cleanup Day initiative aimed at expanding community participation and building on the collective effort demonstrated at last year’s event.

Organized in partnership with Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the Bimini District Council and the cleanup will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady’s and St. Stephen Anglican Church Hall.

Residents, schools, local businesses and community organizations are encouraged to participate, helping to remove litter and marine debris while strengthening community involvement in protecting Bimini’s natural environment. The ambition for 2026 is to bring more hands to the cleanup and inspire lasting action to keep the island clean.

“This year, we hope to welcome even more members of the Bimini community to join us in caring for the island’s environment,” said Emeline Bouchet. “Last year’s students and volunteers showed how much we can accomplish together. By expanding participation, we can extend that impact and encourage habits that protect our marine environment long after the cleanup ends.”

In addition to the community cleanup, the day will feature an environmental awareness session exploring why responsible waste management matters, as well as a practical workshop demonstrating how discarded materials can be given a second life. Refreshments will be provided following the activities, giving volunteers an opportunity to connect and celebrate their collective contribution.

In 2025, the initiative brought together more than 120 students and faculty members from Louise McDonald High School, alongside community leaders, residents and MSC employees based at Ocean Cay. Participants collected approximately 30 50-gallon bags of litter and marine debris, contributing more than 200 hours of collective effort. Organized by the MSC Foundation in partnership with Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the Bimini District Council and the Bimini for Sustainable Tourism Council, last year’s cleanup demonstrated the impact of local collaboration. An educational session also helped students connect their efforts to the broader importance of protecting marine habitats and reducing waste.

“Keeping Bimini clean is a shared responsibility, and every person who joins this effort can make a difference,” said Chief Councillor Triska Amadine Rolle. “We encourage residents, businesses, schools and community groups to come out on September 19. We hope to see familiar faces return and new volunteers join us in taking pride in the island we call home.”

The 2026 cleanup seeks to build on that foundation by encouraging returning volunteers to bring others into the effort and welcoming new participants from across Bimini. Broader participation will help extend the cleanup’s reach and strengthen the community’s shared responsibility for caring for the island’s coastal and residential spaces.

The initiative reflects the MSC Foundation’s ongoing work in marine conservation, environmental education and community engagement in The Bahamas, including research, education and coral restoration efforts based at its Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay.

Community members and organizations are encouraged to save the date, spread the word and join the effort under the theme, “Together for a Cleaner Tomorrow.”