PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A group of eco-friendly teens is putting in extra work to help clean up after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The SCUBAnauts International Marine Science Education Program already concentrates on conservation.

But recent storms and extra debris have the young members out in their communities more often.

“We’re out here monthly, but we added a cleanup this month after the last two hurricanes that we had been expecting to see a lot more trash and a lot more runoff,” said Katie Cooper, Chief Operating Officer of SCUBAnauts International.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said SCUBAnaut Swara Patel. “There’s so much trash.”

SCUBAnaut John Humphreys said the impact on the environment is especially problematic.

“It’s really disappointing to see,” he said. “Especially when you look more into the devastating effects of plastics.”

The teens were out in Pasco County as they cleared trash out of the Anclote River using a WaterGoat, a device that uses nets and buoys to capture trash from storm drains and waterways.

“It’s a device that catches debris in a small waterway before it gets out to the ocean,” Cooper said.

The group picked up everything from plastic bottles and bags to clothing in the water, in the trees and on the ground.

“Today we’re noticing how high the water must have come during the storm,” Cooper said. “Because we’re even seeing trash in the trees, we’re seeing plastic bags caught on high up branches and things like that.”

The SCUBAnauts are passionate about protecting the environment.

“Even if it’s a small impact, I still want to make an impact on ocean conservation,” Patel said. “And help restore at least a part of our oceans.”