Those interested in observing Earth Day this year can learn about the scope of ocean pollution before cleaning up the local coastline.

“A Plastic Ocean” is slated to follow its April 13 showing in Port Angeles with another free screening on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 at 3 p.m. in the Orca Exhibit classroom of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at Fort Worden State Park.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is teaming up with Washington CoastSavers to present the award-winning documentary, which focuses on the more than 8 million tons of plastic that are dumped into the oceans each year.

During its four-year production period, “A Plastic Ocean” was filmed in 20 locations around the world, documenting the global effects of plastic pollution on both marine life and human health, and offering technological and policy solutions.

The screening is set to be followed by a panel discussion, also open to the public.

Washington CoastSavers coordinator Jon Schmidt invited concerned residents to watch the screening before taking part in beach cleanups along the state’s coastline on Saturday, April 29.

IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Cleanup plans include trash pickups on the beaches at Fort Worden, Fort Flagler and Fort Townsend state parks, as well as Railroad Beach, Chetzemoka Park and North Beach in Port Townsend.

“On one morning in April of last year, over 1,400 volunteers came together to remove more than 20 tons of trash from at least 50 beaches, during the Washington Coast Cleanup,” Schmidt said. “Unfortunately, this was not an extreme amount of debris found on the beaches from Cape Disappointment to Cape Flattery.”

For the past 10 years, Washington CoastSavers, its partners and volunteers have cleaned up what the winter storms have brought in.

“Usually, this effort is done on the Saturday closest to Earth Day, but this year, the tides are high on Earth Day morning, so we’re cleaning the beach the following Saturday.”

In turn, Gov. Jay Inslee declared April 29 as “Washington Coast Cleanup Day,” saying, “The success of the effort to save our coast from marine debris depends on participation by volunteers from outdoor recreation groups, schools, service clubs and community organizations throughout Washington.”

On April 29, low tide is forecast to occur at about midmorning on the outer coast, and later on the strait beaches.

Registration for the cleanup runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Port Townsend Food Co-op, 414 Kearney St., where participants are being asked to meet and collect their supplies, before heading out to the beaches.

For more information or to sign up, email

volunteer@ptmsc.org or go to coastsavers.org.