Determination, dedication, and debris removal.

Coastal communities are on the mend, and a dedicated group of volunteers is addressing the incessant issue of debris that arrives with each tide.

In Pinellas County, a new wave of environmental activists is on the rise, led by 16-year-old Caymus Maxson, who is turning local beach cleanups into a national initiative, starting with Madeira Beach.

Caymus, together with her father Brian and the Trash Turtles organization, has been confronting trash that most would shy away from. 

“We were out there the other day picking up tires that had washed up,” Caymus explained. “We also dealt with crab traps and large debris that isn’t easy to manage.”

Their commitment is especially vital now, as many local residents have yet to return to their homes after recent storms.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to work together to rebuild and rejuvenate, seeing our community come together to restore our beaches,” Brian Maxson shared.

Caymus’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; she was recently honored by joining the youth council of Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program.

“She’s incredibly inspiring,” Caymus said of Dr. Goodall. “It’s motivating to see my work acknowledged and to connect with like-minded youth across the country.”

Local groups such as the Trash Pirates and Coastal Crusaders have rallied with the Maxsons, amplifying their cleanup efforts.

“Every single action counts. Everything you do makes a difference,” emphasized Rhonda Yuhasz from Coastal Crusaders.

These volunteers are committed to their cause, tackling the cleanup one piece of trash, one bucket, and one beach at a time.

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(Image credit: USF)