SACO — Many people celebrated Earth Day on Saturday and did their part for the environment — and some approached the day with a little humor.

Volunteers took to beaches in southern Maine and picked up dog excrement and other waste during “April Stools Day.”

April Stools Day has been in annual event in Portland for 25 years, said Meagan Simms of Maine Healthy Beaches, one of the organizations sponsoring the event. This year the event was expanded to include Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

Simms said the organization monitors the beach for bacteria; as part of the program, officials promote proper pet stewardship, and disposal of pet wastet, to protect the public health, benefit the local economy and maintain public enjoyment.

“When you think of Maine you think of the ocean,” she said. Minimizing bacteria from pet waste along the coast is important.

Volunteers at Bayview Beach in Saco Saturday morning were giving away pet supplies to those who braved the cold dreary weather to help the effort.

There was also the highly coveted “golden turd,” a gold-colored replica of dog waste that was placed on the beach. The finder of this sought-after object received a gift card to Pet Life.

“I love this event, I love the humor,” said Simms. “We’ve had a great turnout on this less than beautiful day.”

City Councilor Eric Cote was among those who came to the beach in Saco on Saturday to help pick up waste. Cote said he enjoys running on the beach during low tide and keeping the beach clean is important to him.

And though the day was approached with a sense of humor, dog waste on the beach is no laughing matter.

Event organizers say pet waste contains nearly twice the amount of fecal coliform bacteria than human waste does, and improperly disposed of waste on the beach contributes to unsafe bacteria levels in water and sand. Symptoms that can occur from contact with unsafe bacteria levels include nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills and fever, skin rashes and infections. Bacteria can also persist and regrow in sand, sediment and algae mats long after the source has been removed.

Event organizers offered some tips on disposing of pet waste. They advise picking it up with a plastic bag and placing it in a trash can or proper receptacle.

The waste itself can also be flushed down the toilet, but do not flush bags down the toilet. Pet owners can also bury pet waste in their yard – dig a hole about five inches deep away from vegetable gardens. Pet waste can also be used in compost for flowers or other decorative plants but should not be used for vegetable gardens.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.