4-H Beach Clean-up Collaboration

This Spring, youth from Mano en Mano’s 4-H program rolled up their sleeves, donned work gloves, and set out to make a difference on the coast of Downeast Maine.

Working Together

Students in Mano en Manos 4-H program worked together to clean up the Bog Brooke Cove preserve this spring.

In partnership with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), our students participated in a beach cleanup event that combined hands-on environmental stewardship with community collaboration.

The event took place at Bog Brooke Cove preserve,  one of MCHT’s conserved shoreline properties.  Students hiked through the woods to the beach, and then spent the day collecting bags full of trash and marine litter — everything from tangled fishing gear to plastic bottles to seaglass to shrimp. For participants, the experience was an opportunity to spend time caring for the environment and local community.

The beach cleanup is part of Mano en Mano’s broader efforts to connect youth with their environment, build leadership skills, and foster a sense of connection and leadership within their communities. Collaborating with partners like MCHT helps us provide meaningful, educational experiences that leave a lasting impact — on both our students and the land they help care for.

We’re proud of our 4-H youth for showing up with enthusiasm, determination, and heart. Their work reminds us that stewardship starts with small actions — and that the next generation is already stepping up to lead. Looking forward, students in the 4-H program have expressed interest in getting outdoors

A huge thank-you to our students for reminding us all what community, care, and leadership look like, and to Maine Coast Heritage Trust for their partnership and continued dedication to protecting Maine’s natural places.

If you want to support projects like this, please consider donating to Mano en Mano today!