The Vida Azul Foundation, which represents the Ocean Conservancy in the Dominican Republic, reports that their beach clean-up day in September produced almost 200,000 pounds of refuse from 147 kilometers of beaches, and riverbanks throughout the country. The intiative, according to El Nuevo Diario was supported by members of the Ministry of the Environment, the Armed Forces, Tourism and numerous volunteer groups from private institutions such as Propagas, AFP Siembra, Coca-Cola and others. Jose Urena, the president of the Vida Azul Foundation, said that they would study the composition of the refuse collected in order to try and create an action plan that will help educate people and reduce this oh-so-visible pollution on our beaches.