Ocean PINES, MD - Volunteers outfitted with trash grippers and gloves participated in an Earth Day clean-up of White Horse Park in the Ocean Pines residential community.

The Ocean Pines Environment and Natural Assets Advisory Committee partnered with Beach Heroes O.C., a volunteer organization that hosts clean-ups every Tuesday.

Committee Chair Pat Ryan Garcia said litter accumulates, especially during peak visitor season, despite efforts to curb it. Garcia contacted Beach Heroes O.C. to collaborate on Tuesday's event.

"Every day should be Earth Day for all of us," DeGroodt said. "But on a designated Earth Day, we like to combine with other groups and do something for the environment."

Over 30 volunteers participated in the event today, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Some members of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors joined the group in collecting cigarette butts, flosser picks and pieces of broken ornaments blown off of Christmas trees that decorated the park during the holiday season.

"We got a really good turnout on a beautiful day, and it is all about pride," Board Member Jeff Heavner said. "This board of directors that I'm serving on really takes a lot of pride in keeping Ocean Pines beautiful, and that includes the environment and what we're doing here this morning."

Organizers said this event sets an example of taking pride in the environment and community.

"I was walking around the playground ... the little kids that were playing on the equipment saw what I was doing," Garcia said. "They started bringing me things to put in the trash ... that's a good way to instill that sort of stewardship at a young age."

Some volunteers at Tuesday's event said they plan to participate in another clean-up at the Worcester County Library this week, partially in honor of Earth Day. The semi-annual community clean-up is scheduled for April 26, from 9 to 11 a.m.