Play some pickup in Lincoln City

Founded by a father-and-son team who are tribal members of the Choctaw Nation, the Ocean Blue Project focuses on addressing the huge problem of the tiny pieces of plastic, or microplastics, that are filling our oceans and beaches.

On Saturday, June 12, join the Oregon-based nonprofit as it works toward a vision of the world's oceans, beaches and rivers once again as pristine, self-sustaining ecosystems where wildlife and human communities can coexist and thrive.

Microplastics occur when the sun breaks down plastic debris into smaller and smaller fragments that never fully biodegrade.

Animals often mistake plastics and microplastics for food and can get entangled, injured, gravely sick or wash ashore. When animals that ingest, but can’t digest, these microplastics are eaten, the plastic moves up the food chain, potentially into our food.

Though you can pick up trash of any size, a sieve can help collect microplastics — from a kitchen colander to a child’s sand-sifting toy, you can find tools around the house to help get the job done.

Pick your spot along Lincoln City’s seven miles of beaches from 1 to 3 pm. For more information, go to oceanblueproject.org.