Two organizations found common ground in their shared interests of environmental management, stewardship and sustainability that are marking 30 years of impact.

Columbia Southern University, which holds degree programs in the areas of environmental management and sustainability, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The Alabama Coastal Foundation, an organization that provides environmental stewardship to coastal Alabama communities, is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The organizations partnered in this year’s Alabama Coastal Cleanup to promote environmental health and sustainability and preserve a natural resource that the local community and tourists enjoy. Volunteers from CSU and the ACF worked to remove trash and debris from several pre-determined zones along the coastline including Perdido Bay, Flora-Bama and the Gulf State Park. The volunteers collected refuse from all along the coastline.

“As Baldwin County residents, CSU is proud to lend a hand with the cleanup to help keep our Alabama beaches beautiful,” said Mimi Henning, CSU director of community and alumni relations. “For several years, CSU has participated in this cleanup, and what better way to celebrate a remarkable milestone like 30 years than with a group that does so much to protect Alabama’s coastal environment?”

CSU was established in 1993 to provide an alternative to the traditional university experience. CSU offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees such as business administration, criminal justice, fire administration and occupational safety and health. ACF has worked to promote a culture where environmental decisions are based on an accurate understanding of the underlying science, the dissemination of factual information and the engagement of government, industry and citizens to find solutions to coastal challenges.

For 30 years, the Mobile-based nonprofit has been committed to addressing priority environmental issues throughout the region and offers many hands-on opportunities for volunteers to participate in protecting and preserving the state’s natural resources.

“The Alabama Coastal Foundation is honored to co-celebrate 30th anniversaries with Columbia Southern University this year. We truly appreciate each person who was able to help clean up our coastal environment last weekend and encourage everyone to visit our secure website to learn about other ways to help,” said ACF executive director Mark Berte.

Berte added that ACF seeks to establish common ground among government sectors, local businesses, major industries, grassroots groups and individual citizens.