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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Twenty years ago, the </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Commonwealth</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> of </span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Massachusetts</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> embarked on
a mission to reduce marine debris in </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Massachusetts</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> by
encouraging volunteers to pick up trash from their local beaches. Over the
years, this marine debris removal program, known as COASTSWEEP, has expanded to
include marshes, river banks, ponds, and even the ocean floor.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>As the program celebrates its 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary, </span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Massachusetts</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>’ students
in grades K-12 are encouraged to learn about marine debris and participate in a
poster contest to help design this year’s promotional materials. Prizes
include aquarium tickets, T-shirts, and the grand prize of an REI Outdoor
School Voucher good for two to any class or outing they offer -- including
kayaking, hiking, biking, and photography. The deadline for submissions is <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Wednesday, July 18<sup>th</sup></span></b>. Contest
rules and educational resources can be found on the COASTSWEEP website: <a
href="http://www.coastsweep.umb.edu/">www.coastsweep.umb.edu</a>. Please pass
this along to anyone else you think might be interested.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If you have any questions about the poster contest, or you
are interested in participating in a clean-up event, please contact </span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Pauline
Westhaver</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> at <a href="mailto:Coastsweep@umb.edu">Coastsweep@umb.edu</a>
or at 617-287-5570.</span></font></p>
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12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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