Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - The Riviera Nayarit's Beach Cleanup Network (RLP by its acronym in Spanish) is celebrating its first year of activity along the coast of Nayarit, including its beaches, rivers, islands and streams.

The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) would like to thank each and every one of the citizens who have participated in this effort.

"We're very surprised and grateful for the excellent response we've received from area citizens," commented Marc Murphy, Managing Director of the Riviera Nayarit CVB. "We were aware of the need to clean the beaches and that's why we took the initiative and joined the pioneers of this very successful network. All we can do is thank those who have participated and stress that we will continue the work moving forward."

Every cleanup event has collected an average of 500 large black garbage bags for an estimated 7 thousand bags this year alone. The RPL is made up of more than 20 groups including civil associations, schools, hotels and privately owned local businesses.

The areas that have benefited from this community effort to date are: Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Punta de Mita, Las Islas Marietas, Sayulita, San Pancho, Lo de Marcos, Los Ayala, Rincón de Guayabitos, La Peñita de Jaltemba, Platanitos and La Isla Mexcaltitán.

New groups continue to join the network, including Sayulimpia, backed by the Punta Mita Foundation. The Riviera Nayarit CVB provides the materials and coordinates the groups so the activity can take place on the second Saturday of every month; the next event is scheduled for July 11, 2015.

If you are interested in learning more about the project, including the hours and meeting places, or would like to propose your community join the Riviera Nayarit Beach Cleanup Network, please call 297-2516 ext. 108, and someone from the Riviera Nayarit CVB will be happy to help you.