Staring out over at the mile of beach they recently adopted, Steve and Connie McCalmont wonder how they’ll do it.

They are required to come out here four times per year. But a love and respect for the sea will bring them down weekly. Walking around, it is easy to see what brings them here.

At least it seems easy.

The McCalmonts have adopted the beach. Instead of neglecting it, they will treat it like a child; meticulously caring for it, making sure it stays healthy and scolding those who are mean to it.

“It feels good to give something back,” Connie said. “It makes us feel good about ourselves; to give back to the community.”

The couple have adopted one of eight beaches available to adopt through the county’s WSU Extension Services. It allows groups to pledge to keep a portion of the county’s shorelines clean. Program Manager Cheryl May said that the response to the program has been overwhelming. She said that 20 people and organizations have expressed interest in the eight sites but the McCalmonts are the only single family to adopt a beach.

Steve McCalmont said he began his volunteer life 18 years ago with Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue. He started walking the beach 12 years ago, which was when May, a family friend, started doing the same.

“We’ve done a lot of cleanups,” Steve said.

The McCalmonts said they chose the beach at the south end of Fort Casey because of its proximity to their home and it was one they already frequent.

“We come down here for a walk after work,” Steve said. “It makes it easy so we can come clean it.”

Steve said that one of the things he wants to do is to get more children involved with the program.

May said that the Boy Scouts have provided a lot of hours for the program.

“If you can get the kids started early, they’re not going to throw stuff on the ground when they’re teenagers,” Steve said. “We’re all stewards.”

May said that the need for the cleanups is great all year. In the fall and winter, powerful storms wash trash far up onto the beach. During the summer, people on the beach leave their trash, and debris from the Fourth of July always requires a lot of cleanup. May said that she removes a ton of trash after the holiday.

Last year, she even found full cases of beer and a stash of fireworks on one beach.

“You could clean it up every day and come back again the next day,” May said.

For May, cleaning the beaches is a labor of love. She worked for years for free before a state grant provided her some compensation.

Her dedication has led her on some adventures. She once procured a boat to float to a beach that was not accessible by vehicle. She has also had to go to the hospital after straining herself trying to dig a tractor tire out of the beach.

“The beaches have been better to me than I’ve ever been to the beaches,” May said.

Steve and Connie are not sure about that. But now they have their own legacy to begin, cleaning up behind other people who enjoy the beach.

If interested in helping keep one of nature’s great creations pristine, please call Cheryl May at 360-678-4100.