Hi Miss Ginger,
It seems the tourists are back....
Tuesday, 6/14 Zone 4: 2 grocery bags
Friday, 6/17 Zone 0: 3/4 grocery bag
Beautiful moon and sunrise, gentle breeze that prevented the gnats, and we visited the WB adopted nest -- great morning.
Nothing special to report today for the trash and short on time., so have a great weekend!
Thanks much!
Jill
Sunday, June 19, 2011
weeks 4 -7 Gina and Cindy zone 3 (14 bags of trash!!!)
Gina and Cindy are new volunteers this year and they are walking in zone 3. They have been collecting trash for a while, but we have just been able to connect through email. I am so excited to meet Gina and Cindy in cyber world and can't wait to meet them in the real world! I am so thrilled that they have been picking up trash in zone 3. This zone is near JM Pier and can be quite overwhelming. Thank you Gina and Cindy.
Hi Ginger,
Cindy and I started walking ZONE 3 on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The following is our TRASH RECORD from the last 3 weeks.
5/25: 2 GROCERY BAGS OF ITEMS
plastic items, papers, straws, bottle caps
6/1 : 4 GROCERY BAGS OF ITEMS
plastic tops, plastic pieces from misc items, metal bottle caps, plastic straws,
2 towels, 2 flip flops.
6/8 4 GROCERY BAGS OF ITEMS
plastic tops, plastic pieces from misc items, plastic straws, papers, 2 beach towels,
2 large empty trash bags that were wet and on the sand.
Thank you,
GINA DEVAUGHN AND CINDY WILSON
ZONE 3 WEDNESDAYS
Hello Ginger,
Cindy Wilson and I walk on Wednesdays at 6AM ZONE 3
The following is our TRASH RECORD FOR TODAY, 6/15
The following items FILLED UP 4 GROCERY BAGS
2 CONDOM WRAPPERS
PLASTIC CONTAINERS
A WHOLE BUNCH OF PIECES OF PLASTICS FROM ITEMS
PAPERS, INCLUDING TAGS FROM ITEMS
BEER CANS
PIECES OF STRING & NETTING
METAL BEER CAN TOPS
3 FLIP FLOPS
UNDERWEAR
SOCKS
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ITEMS, THE FOLLOWING WAS PICKED UP OFF THE BEACH AND THROWN AWAY IN THE TRASH CANS:
2 BLANKETS
2 BEACH TOWELS
GINA DEVAUGHN
CINDY WILSON
A side note is that John and I were at the beach on Tuesday night and we picked up litter in zone 3. Perhaps we picked up the condom from one of the condom wrappers that Gina and Cindy collected. Also, John had his brand new Reef flipflops stolen while we were picking up trash. I already checked with Gina and she said the flipflops they collected did not match the description.....bummer.....
Hi Ginger,
Cindy and I started walking ZONE 3 on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The following is our TRASH RECORD from the last 3 weeks.
5/25: 2 GROCERY BAGS OF ITEMS
plastic items, papers, straws, bottle caps
6/1 : 4 GROCERY BAGS OF ITEMS
plastic tops, plastic pieces from misc items, metal bottle caps, plastic straws,
2 towels, 2 flip flops.
6/8 4 GROCERY BAGS OF ITEMS
plastic tops, plastic pieces from misc items, plastic straws, papers, 2 beach towels,
2 large empty trash bags that were wet and on the sand.
Thank you,
GINA DEVAUGHN AND CINDY WILSON
ZONE 3 WEDNESDAYS
Hello Ginger,
Cindy Wilson and I walk on Wednesdays at 6AM ZONE 3
The following is our TRASH RECORD FOR TODAY, 6/15
The following items FILLED UP 4 GROCERY BAGS
2 CONDOM WRAPPERS
PLASTIC CONTAINERS
A WHOLE BUNCH OF PIECES OF PLASTICS FROM ITEMS
PAPERS, INCLUDING TAGS FROM ITEMS
BEER CANS
PIECES OF STRING & NETTING
METAL BEER CAN TOPS
3 FLIP FLOPS
UNDERWEAR
SOCKS
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ITEMS, THE FOLLOWING WAS PICKED UP OFF THE BEACH AND THROWN AWAY IN THE TRASH CANS:
2 BLANKETS
2 BEACH TOWELS
GINA DEVAUGHN
CINDY WILSON
A side note is that John and I were at the beach on Tuesday night and we picked up litter in zone 3. Perhaps we picked up the condom from one of the condom wrappers that Gina and Cindy collected. Also, John had his brand new Reef flipflops stolen while we were picking up trash. I already checked with Gina and she said the flipflops they collected did not match the description.....bummer.....
week 7 Abrons/Butler/Doss zone 0
We had 2 bags of trash this morning plus a broken chair. Many cups and water bottles and a pair of sunglasses.
Abrons/Butler/Doss
Abrons/Butler/Doss
week 7 John & Terri zone 1
Ginger--
Here is our trash report from this morning:
About 2 grocery trash bags containing--
1 homemade (from tree branch) sling shot
5 plastic children's scoops, toys, etc.
1 orange frisbee
1 plastic ring/gasket?
1 pair child's socks
1 single child's sock
1 child's top
1 tee shirt
1 full can of beer--unopened
6 soda/beer/water cans/bottles
lots and lots of bandaids, bottle caps, plastic wrappers, straws, baggies and fruit rinds, cigarette butts, clothing tags
Terri
Here is our trash report from this morning:
About 2 grocery trash bags containing--
1 homemade (from tree branch) sling shot
5 plastic children's scoops, toys, etc.
1 orange frisbee
1 plastic ring/gasket?
1 pair child's socks
1 single child's sock
1 child's top
1 tee shirt
1 full can of beer--unopened
6 soda/beer/water cans/bottles
lots and lots of bandaids, bottle caps, plastic wrappers, straws, baggies and fruit rinds, cigarette butts, clothing tags
Terri
week 7 Kathleen Holly zone 5
further adventures... called the WBPD to roust the campers who set up in the dunes.. Lots of trash; filled 3 gal bags. wine bottles, 5 plastic fish bait containers, a few empty bait bags, lots of fishline, Ice House beer cans, Miller lite beer cans, soda bottles, styrofoam cups, straws, bottle caps, men's large tidy whities, lots of pieces of bags, napkins, candy bar wrappers.
Kathleen
Kathleen
week 7 Dick & Linda zone 1
TQ
We got one full grocery bag of trash, 3 broken chairs and one broken belly board. Also found 2 more towels for Nancy's stash.
Dick
We got one full grocery bag of trash, 3 broken chairs and one broken belly board. Also found 2 more towels for Nancy's stash.
Dick
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
"The Nest That Needed a Beach" by Nancy Fahey (6/14/11)
Good Evening WB Turtlers,
A mid-day phone call from Matthew revealed some of the strangest turtle news, ever: A gentleman from Southport had called to report that he saw a huge loggerhead sea turtle nesting on the bank of the Cape Fear River near his home last night. At first, the man thought it was a deer thrashing around in the brush, but a closer look for the source of the noise brought him face to face with a tired loggerhead turtle emerging from the sea grass and slowing making her way back to the water's edge.
Say what? My thoughts: this must have been the work of one humongous snapping turtle! Matthew, however, went on to say that another sea turtle nest had been found a little over two weeks ago near the very same area on the river. Hmmmm.....very interesting! Next, he asked if I would be interested in going down to relocate the nest to a more sea turtle friendly environment. Really? No kidding? You bet ya....I've got just the place for some beautiful sea turtle eggs!!
A quick call to Kathleen and Morgan Britton elicited a similar response of, "Heck yea.....we would love to go help relocate a nest!" And we were off!
Once reaching the river, I could hardly believe my eyes! Sure enough, the faintly imprinted tracks of a sea turtle had been left behind on the sand. This turtle had drug herself up the bank of the river through debris of all kinds: rocks, trash, construction materials, you name it.
How could a nesting mother turtle choose such a place for her precious clutch? However, in the grass at the top of the bank were the distinct signs of a successful nesting site; buried grass, broken roots, and piles of displaced sand.
For reasons we may never understand, this turtle appeared to have nested in this less than desirable place, after all. One thing was immediately clear: left in this place, the hatchlings would be doomed. We had to find that clutch!
Finding the eggs was no easy task, but after a few hours of digging, find them we did!! There nestled in the sand was the lone gleaming egg that would lead us to the others. Wha-hoo!!
Quickly, but carefully, we placed the soft eggs one by one into the bucket. One hundred and two eggs later, we were ready to head back to Wrightsville Beach.
Thinking of our One-derful Nest Number One of a few years ago, we decided on the perfect spot for the
safe keeping of our booty.
Nestled on the north end between Wrightsville Dunes and Shell Island Resort, you will find one very special nest for Wrightsville Beach; our first adopted nest ever. A nest that needed a beach for a beach that needed a nest. I just love happy endings! :)
Congratulations and many thanks to the nest parents, Kathleen and Morgan Britton. I really do not know what I would have done without your help, unwavering dedication, and enthusiasm for the great nest relocation effort today. You are both more than awesome, and the turtles are ever so lucky to have you on their side!
Hope you enjoy the beautiful pictures courtesy of Kathleen and Morgan.
Happy Turtling!
Nancy
A mid-day phone call from Matthew revealed some of the strangest turtle news, ever: A gentleman from Southport had called to report that he saw a huge loggerhead sea turtle nesting on the bank of the Cape Fear River near his home last night. At first, the man thought it was a deer thrashing around in the brush, but a closer look for the source of the noise brought him face to face with a tired loggerhead turtle emerging from the sea grass and slowing making her way back to the water's edge.
Say what? My thoughts: this must have been the work of one humongous snapping turtle! Matthew, however, went on to say that another sea turtle nest had been found a little over two weeks ago near the very same area on the river. Hmmmm.....very interesting! Next, he asked if I would be interested in going down to relocate the nest to a more sea turtle friendly environment. Really? No kidding? You bet ya....I've got just the place for some beautiful sea turtle eggs!!
A quick call to Kathleen and Morgan Britton elicited a similar response of, "Heck yea.....we would love to go help relocate a nest!" And we were off!
Once reaching the river, I could hardly believe my eyes! Sure enough, the faintly imprinted tracks of a sea turtle had been left behind on the sand. This turtle had drug herself up the bank of the river through debris of all kinds: rocks, trash, construction materials, you name it.
How could a nesting mother turtle choose such a place for her precious clutch? However, in the grass at the top of the bank were the distinct signs of a successful nesting site; buried grass, broken roots, and piles of displaced sand.
Finding the eggs was no easy task, but after a few hours of digging, find them we did!! There nestled in the sand was the lone gleaming egg that would lead us to the others. Wha-hoo!!
Quickly, but carefully, we placed the soft eggs one by one into the bucket. One hundred and two eggs later, we were ready to head back to Wrightsville Beach.
Thinking of our One-derful Nest Number One of a few years ago, we decided on the perfect spot for the
safe keeping of our booty.
Nestled on the north end between Wrightsville Dunes and Shell Island Resort, you will find one very special nest for Wrightsville Beach; our first adopted nest ever. A nest that needed a beach for a beach that needed a nest. I just love happy endings! :)
Congratulations and many thanks to the nest parents, Kathleen and Morgan Britton. I really do not know what I would have done without your help, unwavering dedication, and enthusiasm for the great nest relocation effort today. You are both more than awesome, and the turtles are ever so lucky to have you on their side!
Hope you enjoy the beautiful pictures courtesy of Kathleen and Morgan.
Happy Turtling!
Nancy
Monday, June 13, 2011
week 7 John & Ginger zone 4
Today John and I collected 4 bags of trash. Apparently, it was a great surf session this morning and there were tons of surfers in the water. I wish I had taken a picture, but my hands just seemed too yucky to want to touch the camera.
It is amazing the bits and pieces of plastic that we collect on the beach. Much of it I just throw away without even counting it as anything---it is just too gross to sort. However, I had the thought that sometimes "one time use" plastics are not even "one time use". This thought occurred to me because I pick up plenty of straws that are still in the wrappers---never used at all, but they become litter--not just any litter, but litter that does not biodegrade and it dangerous to wildlife and the environment. What a shame. "Kaliwali"--must be more "mindful" to not buy one time use plastics when possible.
We picked up 32+ plastic food wrappers (plastic packaging for snacks and candy).
We also collected:
12 butts
1 cigar tip
3 cigarette packages
3 balloons (one was very long (about 2 feet)
6 toys or toy pieces (I think I found the ball that goes with the beach paddles I found last week---score!)
3 clothing articles (hope I will look good in the "Life is Good" hat)
5 plastic bottles
1 beer bottle
2 cans
3 plastic cup lids
2 plastic spoons
13 straws
3 fireworks remnants
3 styrofoam cups
24 plastic bottle caps
2 plastic bags
5 ziplock bags
1 plastic comb
1 pair of broken sunglasses
1 plastic hair bow
1 pacifier
1 fishing lure
1 boogie board
5 chairs that we moved away from the tideline
1 metal rod from a broken umbrella
Also, John and I took the boat out for a quick ride this weekend (quick b/c it was so windy); and as always we retrieved trash from the waterway. This weekend it was another plastic bag. I sure hope New Hanover County will work towards banning plastic bags or at least creating a bag fee. Plastic bags never biodegrade, they only photodegrade, breaking down into smaller and smaller particles making it impossible to remove them from our environment (land or water). They also are mistaken for food by wildlife and often times lead to the death of animals such as whales, seals, birds, and sea turtles. When in the water, plastic bags resemble jelly fish. Jelly fish are one of the main food sources for sea turtles; and sea turtles will mistake the plastic bag (& balloons) for jelly fish.
Please so "no" to plastic bags.
It is amazing the bits and pieces of plastic that we collect on the beach. Much of it I just throw away without even counting it as anything---it is just too gross to sort. However, I had the thought that sometimes "one time use" plastics are not even "one time use". This thought occurred to me because I pick up plenty of straws that are still in the wrappers---never used at all, but they become litter--not just any litter, but litter that does not biodegrade and it dangerous to wildlife and the environment. What a shame. "Kaliwali"--must be more "mindful" to not buy one time use plastics when possible.
We picked up 32+ plastic food wrappers (plastic packaging for snacks and candy).
We also collected:
12 butts
1 cigar tip
3 cigarette packages
3 balloons (one was very long (about 2 feet)
6 toys or toy pieces (I think I found the ball that goes with the beach paddles I found last week---score!)
3 clothing articles (hope I will look good in the "Life is Good" hat)
5 plastic bottles
1 beer bottle
2 cans
3 plastic cup lids
2 plastic spoons
13 straws
3 fireworks remnants
3 styrofoam cups
24 plastic bottle caps
2 plastic bags
5 ziplock bags
1 plastic comb
1 pair of broken sunglasses
1 plastic hair bow
1 pacifier
1 fishing lure
1 boogie board
5 chairs that we moved away from the tideline
1 metal rod from a broken umbrella
Also, John and I took the boat out for a quick ride this weekend (quick b/c it was so windy); and as always we retrieved trash from the waterway. This weekend it was another plastic bag. I sure hope New Hanover County will work towards banning plastic bags or at least creating a bag fee. Plastic bags never biodegrade, they only photodegrade, breaking down into smaller and smaller particles making it impossible to remove them from our environment (land or water). They also are mistaken for food by wildlife and often times lead to the death of animals such as whales, seals, birds, and sea turtles. When in the water, plastic bags resemble jelly fish. Jelly fish are one of the main food sources for sea turtles; and sea turtles will mistake the plastic bag (& balloons) for jelly fish.
Please so "no" to plastic bags.
week 7 Kim Meyer and Celia zone 1
In Zone 1 for Sunday, June 12th, approximately 6 bags of trash were collected. Several buckets and toys were also found. My walking buddy, Celia and I placed them up by the lifeguard stand so perhaps they will be reused. There are several large holes as well in that area. Just hoping the buckets and shovels aren't used to contribute more holes!
We collected 7 water bottles and only 2 beer bottles. You can tell when the heat starts taking its toll! All the usual items were found today: discarded plastic bags, paper towels, handy wipes, wrappers, etc. We did pull 2 beach towels and 1 blanket out of the sand as well.
The trash cans close to the dunes appeared to be either empty or about 1/4th full. However there were several around the major access points (Duneridge area) were cans were overflowing. I hope they empty cans on Sunday morning otherwise there would be no room for sunbather's trash today.
We did find one woman on the beach with a black lab mix running wildly off-leash through the dunes. Celia ever so politely spoke with the woman about the nests at CB that were destroyed by dogs. The woman very politely thanked us for collecting trash on the beach, regained control of her dog, put the leash on and exited the beach. The woman indicated she lived about a block from the beach which made me wonder how she did not know of the leash law and restricted months for which dogs could be on the beach. Perhaps she was new to the area. However it was one of the first things I learned as a pet owner living on the beach in the 80's.
We collected 7 water bottles and only 2 beer bottles. You can tell when the heat starts taking its toll! All the usual items were found today: discarded plastic bags, paper towels, handy wipes, wrappers, etc. We did pull 2 beach towels and 1 blanket out of the sand as well.
The trash cans close to the dunes appeared to be either empty or about 1/4th full. However there were several around the major access points (Duneridge area) were cans were overflowing. I hope they empty cans on Sunday morning otherwise there would be no room for sunbather's trash today.
We did find one woman on the beach with a black lab mix running wildly off-leash through the dunes. Celia ever so politely spoke with the woman about the nests at CB that were destroyed by dogs. The woman very politely thanked us for collecting trash on the beach, regained control of her dog, put the leash on and exited the beach. The woman indicated she lived about a block from the beach which made me wonder how she did not know of the leash law and restricted months for which dogs could be on the beach. Perhaps she was new to the area. However it was one of the first things I learned as a pet owner living on the beach in the 80's.
week 6 Kym Davidson--Hammock Sleepers have Ocean Front Property for Free :)
I collected 1 bag of litter & 1 bag of recyclables today in zone 5. The hammock sleepers were under Crystal pier again bit w/o a litter trail this time :)
week 6 John & Tammy zone 2
Ginger,
During my walk of Zone 2 yesterday, I picked up about 3/4 of a plastic grocery bag of trash. I was kind of excited that it was only 3/4 of a bag, but then it hit me that it was 3/4 of a bag. That’s like getting excited because gas dropped to 3.61 a gallon.
Tammy and I try to let people with dogs know that dogs are not allowed on the beach this time of year and they could get fined. We’ve been told the same “Yeah, but we’re out with them early” response as well as “Well, they don’t enforce it anyway.”
John
During my walk of Zone 2 yesterday, I picked up about 3/4 of a plastic grocery bag of trash. I was kind of excited that it was only 3/4 of a bag, but then it hit me that it was 3/4 of a bag. That’s like getting excited because gas dropped to 3.61 a gallon.
Tammy and I try to let people with dogs know that dogs are not allowed on the beach this time of year and they could get fined. We’ve been told the same “Yeah, but we’re out with them early” response as well as “Well, they don’t enforce it anyway.”
John
week 7 Kathleen and Morgan zone 0
Hi Ginger,
Morgan and I picked up the equivalent of two grocery sized bags this morning. The contents are below:
6 plastic drink bottles
3 beer cans
12 plastic cocktail cups
7 straws
3 dryer sheets
1 binki
1 child's butterfly net
1 sand sieve
1 plastic shovel
3 cigarette butts
1 plastic dog squeaky toy
2 balloons - SCORE!
4 various plastic pieces
1 plastic/worm-type fishing lure
Morgan and I picked up the equivalent of two grocery sized bags this morning. The contents are below:
6 plastic drink bottles
3 beer cans
12 plastic cocktail cups
7 straws
3 dryer sheets
1 binki
1 child's butterfly net
1 sand sieve
1 plastic shovel
3 cigarette butts
1 plastic dog squeaky toy
2 balloons - SCORE!
4 various plastic pieces
1 plastic/worm-type fishing lure
Sunday, June 12, 2011
KIC Newsletter June 11, 2011
HI KICers!!!
I am so proud to be a part of you guys.
So far, you have reported collecting 147.33 bags of trash and you just keep on "KICing"!!!! Please view the updated blogsite: wbkeepitclean.blogspot.com. If you have not sent in your reports, please do so and I will add to our totals.
I do have two tidbits of news that I want to share in this email. One is frustrating and one is hopeful. So I will post the frustrating news first:
Dog Destroys Sea Turtle Eggs on Carolina Beach
A sea turtle nest at Carolina Beach was predated by an unleashed dog this week. The dog destroyed at least 20 of the eggs in the nest. Please click on this link to read the article and view a picture of the predated nest:
Dogs are not allowed on WB from April 1 to October 30. From October 30 to March 31st, dogs must be leashed and owners must have a bag with them so that they can clean after their dogs.
Please understand that I love dogs and I understand why people want their dogs to be able to play on the beach. However, dogs have a very keen sense of smell and very strong natural instincts to dig up, chew, roll in, eat, lick, etc. anything they think smells good. And usually no amount of owner's commands can deter this very undomesticated type of behavior. They just can't help themselves. So, dogs will certainly be able to smell a freshly laid turtle nest and will surely find it irresistible. This is a very good reason for dog owners to follow the WB ordinance and keep dogs off the beach during nesting season.
On our blog this week, you will read John and Terri Littlejohn's email in which they approached a dog owner who told them she thought she was out early enough that she would not get caught!
Now for the Hopeful News:
Injured Leatherback Sea Turtle Gets Help Digging Her Nests
Please click on the link below to meet Clover, an endangered leatherback sea turtle who has had both of her rear flippers severed by a shark. Clover is unable to dig her nests, so volunteers on Juno Beach, Florida watch for her and help dig her nests when she comes ashore. So far, this year, she has laid 7 nests on Juno Beach. http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/11/injured.leatherback.turtle/index.html
Thanks for all you do.
Keep It Clean,
Ginger
I am so proud to be a part of you guys.
So far, you have reported collecting 147.33 bags of trash and you just keep on "KICing"!!!! Please view the updated blogsite: wbkeepitclean.blogspot.com. If you have not sent in your reports, please do so and I will add to our totals.
I do have two tidbits of news that I want to share in this email. One is frustrating and one is hopeful. So I will post the frustrating news first:
Dog Destroys Sea Turtle Eggs on Carolina Beach
A sea turtle nest at Carolina Beach was predated by an unleashed dog this week. The dog destroyed at least 20 of the eggs in the nest. Please click on this link to read the article and view a picture of the predated nest:
Dogs are not allowed on WB from April 1 to October 30. From October 30 to March 31st, dogs must be leashed and owners must have a bag with them so that they can clean after their dogs.
Please understand that I love dogs and I understand why people want their dogs to be able to play on the beach. However, dogs have a very keen sense of smell and very strong natural instincts to dig up, chew, roll in, eat, lick, etc. anything they think smells good. And usually no amount of owner's commands can deter this very undomesticated type of behavior. They just can't help themselves. So, dogs will certainly be able to smell a freshly laid turtle nest and will surely find it irresistible. This is a very good reason for dog owners to follow the WB ordinance and keep dogs off the beach during nesting season.
On our blog this week, you will read John and Terri Littlejohn's email in which they approached a dog owner who told them she thought she was out early enough that she would not get caught!
Now for the Hopeful News:
Injured Leatherback Sea Turtle Gets Help Digging Her Nests
Please click on the link below to meet Clover, an endangered leatherback sea turtle who has had both of her rear flippers severed by a shark. Clover is unable to dig her nests, so volunteers on Juno Beach, Florida watch for her and help dig her nests when she comes ashore. So far, this year, she has laid 7 nests on Juno Beach. http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/11/injured.leatherback.turtle/index.html
Thanks for all you do.
Keep It Clean,
Ginger
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Meet Joe Peters---Welcome to KIC (week 6)
I'm so happy that Joe Peters has joined the KICers. Joe picks up trash while he walks on the beach and was encouraged by a KIC volunteer, Susan Miller, to report his numbers. Well, you know, we KICers love people who pick up trash, so Joe is now considered one of us! Welcome Joe!!! You can read Joe's report below and his numbers will be added to our total and will be included under "unspecified zones".
A big thanks to Joe and Susan!
Hi,
I was encouraged by Susan Miller to send you my trash totals while out at Wrightsville Beach. I was out on the beach around 7pm on Wednesday, 6/8/11. My totals during my 30 minute walk:
5 plastic bottles
2 plastic bags
4 aluminum cans
4 juice bags (think Hi-C, Capri Sun)
6 plastic bottle caps
(I am counting this as 1.5 bags unless Joe indicates otherwise)
Quite sad, since Wednesday was World Oceans Day. Take care, and continue to do good work.
Joe
A big thanks to Joe and Susan!
Hi,
I was encouraged by Susan Miller to send you my trash totals while out at Wrightsville Beach. I was out on the beach around 7pm on Wednesday, 6/8/11. My totals during my 30 minute walk:
5 plastic bottles
2 plastic bags
4 aluminum cans
4 juice bags (think Hi-C, Capri Sun)
6 plastic bottle caps
(I am counting this as 1.5 bags unless Joe indicates otherwise)
Quite sad, since Wednesday was World Oceans Day. Take care, and continue to do good work.
Joe
week 6 Susan zone 3--recycling, hoels and plastic
Hi Ginger,
It is so interesting to me to see how the beach changes each Friday morning that I go. This morning, there were a lot of people walking, running, and lounging, even as early as 6:00 am. The sand seemed particularly hot, dry and powdery, which I am sure has something to do with our extreme lack of rain lately.
Today I collected 3 bags of trash and one large bag of recyclables (one large bag converts into 4 bags making Susan's total bags = 7). There was a very high concentration of litter right next to Johnnie Mercer's Pier; I collected one whole bag of trash there alone, most of which consisted of snack wrappers and chip bags.
The bulk of what I picked up today was plastic water and Gatorade bottles-- I found a total of 15 of these. At one moment I looked out across the high tide line and could just see plastic shimmering in the sand. Conversely, I found only one glass beer bottle and a few beer cans, which is drastically less than normal. I can only assume that this is due to the very hot weather.
One thing I observed today is that there seemed to be several areas where people had just sat down, smoked 5-10 cigarettes, and stuck the butts right in the sand like an ashtray.
Ugh. This makes me concerned not only for these individuals' blatant disregard of the environment but also for their personal health. Another thing I observed today is that the vast majority of the items in the trashcans were Rita's cups, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Of course, I am grateful that these items made it into the trashcans and were not left on the beach. But it seems like a real shame that all of this is going in trash when the vast majority of it is recyclable. I really do think that people would use recycling bins for cans and plastic if they were right alongside the trash cans.
The most interesting thing I found today was a very deep hole with a sea turtle sand sculpture right next to it. I am not sure if this qualifies as irony or just deserves a facepalm.
-Susan Miller
It is so interesting to me to see how the beach changes each Friday morning that I go. This morning, there were a lot of people walking, running, and lounging, even as early as 6:00 am. The sand seemed particularly hot, dry and powdery, which I am sure has something to do with our extreme lack of rain lately.
Today I collected 3 bags of trash and one large bag of recyclables (one large bag converts into 4 bags making Susan's total bags = 7). There was a very high concentration of litter right next to Johnnie Mercer's Pier; I collected one whole bag of trash there alone, most of which consisted of snack wrappers and chip bags.
The bulk of what I picked up today was plastic water and Gatorade bottles-- I found a total of 15 of these. At one moment I looked out across the high tide line and could just see plastic shimmering in the sand. Conversely, I found only one glass beer bottle and a few beer cans, which is drastically less than normal. I can only assume that this is due to the very hot weather.
One thing I observed today is that there seemed to be several areas where people had just sat down, smoked 5-10 cigarettes, and stuck the butts right in the sand like an ashtray.
Ugh. This makes me concerned not only for these individuals' blatant disregard of the environment but also for their personal health. Another thing I observed today is that the vast majority of the items in the trashcans were Rita's cups, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Of course, I am grateful that these items made it into the trashcans and were not left on the beach. But it seems like a real shame that all of this is going in trash when the vast majority of it is recyclable. I really do think that people would use recycling bins for cans and plastic if they were right alongside the trash cans.
The most interesting thing I found today was a very deep hole with a sea turtle sand sculpture right next to it. I am not sure if this qualifies as irony or just deserves a facepalm.
-Susan Miller
week 6 Rick & Jill zones 0 & 4
Hi Ginger,
We just saw the KIC sign at the beach this morning -- love it!
Here's the report for this week. Nothing as fun as last week, though
6/7, Zone 4: 1 full grocery bag
6/10, Zone 0: 1/3 grocery bag,...must have been a sale on french fries as there were quite a few used ketchup packages scattered about.
Have a wonderful weekend! Tell John we say hello!
Best,
Jill
We just saw the KIC sign at the beach this morning -- love it!
Here's the report for this week. Nothing as fun as last week, though
6/7, Zone 4: 1 full grocery bag
6/10, Zone 0: 1/3 grocery bag,...must have been a sale on french fries as there were quite a few used ketchup packages scattered about.
Have a wonderful weekend! Tell John we say hello!
Best,
Jill
week 6 Mellissa zone 4--lots of holes
Hi Ginger
Today Friday 6/10/11 in Zone 4 I picked up 1 grocery bag of garbage. There were a lot of holes too, but I didn't have enough time before work to fill them all in. Seems like that is almost a part time job on its own.
Have a great week!
Today Friday 6/10/11 in Zone 4 I picked up 1 grocery bag of garbage. There were a lot of holes too, but I didn't have enough time before work to fill them all in. Seems like that is almost a part time job on its own.
Have a great week!
week 6 Kathleen Holly--zone 5 (2 days)
Last 2 walks picked up 3 1/2 gal bags trash.. Lots of Cig butts, cups, straws, kiddie shovels, 8 beer cans, 5 plastic gator aid bottles, 2 water bottles, 3 flip flops; 1 man's, 2 unrelated women's, 2 tee shirts, 1 pr men's boxers, 3 bra fillers; unrelated sizes but interesting find, 4 plastic baggies, assorted tags from purchases.
I saw at least 4 different sets of dog tracks this am on my turtle walk; all between access 39 and Oceanic Pier.
I pick up trash over by the USCoast Guard dock on the inlet side. I dragged 2 broken chairs, a beach umbrella and a large broken cooler last week. The debris was still there on Tues. I met one of the DPW fellows driving the street sweeper. I told him the trash had been there for 5 days. I asked if he would please let the garage know this bin hasn't been attended. Neither were 2 other overfilled bins on the inlet side across from Masonboro Island.
I saw at least 4 different sets of dog tracks this am on my turtle walk; all between access 39 and Oceanic Pier.
I pick up trash over by the USCoast Guard dock on the inlet side. I dragged 2 broken chairs, a beach umbrella and a large broken cooler last week. The debris was still there on Tues. I met one of the DPW fellows driving the street sweeper. I told him the trash had been there for 5 days. I asked if he would please let the garage know this bin hasn't been attended. Neither were 2 other overfilled bins on the inlet side across from Masonboro Island.
week 6 Ginger zone 4 "KaliWali"
When I walked my zone on Monday, it was a little cleaner than it has been in the past few weeks.
My favorite thing to look forward to is greeting Sonny, John and Jesse as they "greet the Sun" at Crystal Pier. The Ancient Polynesian Martial Art they are practicing is called "KaliWali" which means "mindfulness".
Here is some of what I found today: (3 bags)
1 pair of goggles
10 toys including one purple mouse cat toy
5 brightly colored water balloons
1 blowing plastic bag (please say no to plastic bags---they never biodegrade)
2 ziplock bags
23 butts
1 cigar
2 plastic cigar tips
21 straws
10 plastic bottle caps
1 pair of boxer shorts
1 pair of extra small pink lacy victoria's secret panties
2 towels
2 aluminum cans
5 plastic bottles
2 glass bottles
1 plastic cup
1 plastic fork
2 empty cigarette packs
The funniest thing was: Beached Barbie
The best part of my day was when I went back to the beach on Monday evening. I was walking in my zone and noticed several large holes. One was by a family who was packing up and they had a full size garden shovel with them. I took a deep breath, thought about KaliWali, and approached them with a smile. After saying hello I explained that I helped monitor the beach for sea turtle nesting activity and explained that nesting turtles could easily become trapped in holes. They began filling in the hole and thanked me profusely for the work that we do for sea turtles. They asked about ordinances for holes which I was able to explain; and they told me about a children's book their child had just gotten about sea turtles. They were really happy to help. I left feeling great about our interaction.
As I walked farther down the beach, there was another very large hole, so I began to fill it in. There was a young family in the life guard stand watching me. The little girl (about 3 years old) came running down and in the cutest way said: "It took me all day to dig that hole!". I giggled and told her she had certainly done a great job at digging such a large hole and then explained to her that I was filling it in because sea turtles sometimes come on the beach at night to lay eggs and if they fell into the hole it could hurt them. She immediately started helping me push dirt in the hole with her tiny hands. Her young parents came down and also joined in. The mother explained that she often has dreams that she and her daughter are flying and they are watching sea turtles; and she hopes to get more involved with the sea turtles some day as she is looking for some bigger meaning in life. As our conversation continued, I learned that the mother had just recently finished her last round of chemo for breast cancer.
I am so thankful that I took the time to practice "KaliWali", approached these families with openness vs. frustration, and had the chance to share education and receive education at the same time. The universe is so good to us when we allow it to happen.
My favorite thing to look forward to is greeting Sonny, John and Jesse as they "greet the Sun" at Crystal Pier. The Ancient Polynesian Martial Art they are practicing is called "KaliWali" which means "mindfulness".
Here is some of what I found today: (3 bags)
1 pair of goggles
10 toys including one purple mouse cat toy
5 brightly colored water balloons
1 blowing plastic bag (please say no to plastic bags---they never biodegrade)
2 ziplock bags
23 butts
1 cigar
2 plastic cigar tips
21 straws
10 plastic bottle caps
1 pair of boxer shorts
1 pair of extra small pink lacy victoria's secret panties
2 towels
2 aluminum cans
5 plastic bottles
2 glass bottles
1 plastic cup
1 plastic fork
2 empty cigarette packs
The funniest thing was: Beached Barbie
The best part of my day was when I went back to the beach on Monday evening. I was walking in my zone and noticed several large holes. One was by a family who was packing up and they had a full size garden shovel with them. I took a deep breath, thought about KaliWali, and approached them with a smile. After saying hello I explained that I helped monitor the beach for sea turtle nesting activity and explained that nesting turtles could easily become trapped in holes. They began filling in the hole and thanked me profusely for the work that we do for sea turtles. They asked about ordinances for holes which I was able to explain; and they told me about a children's book their child had just gotten about sea turtles. They were really happy to help. I left feeling great about our interaction.
As I walked farther down the beach, there was another very large hole, so I began to fill it in. There was a young family in the life guard stand watching me. The little girl (about 3 years old) came running down and in the cutest way said: "It took me all day to dig that hole!". I giggled and told her she had certainly done a great job at digging such a large hole and then explained to her that I was filling it in because sea turtles sometimes come on the beach at night to lay eggs and if they fell into the hole it could hurt them. She immediately started helping me push dirt in the hole with her tiny hands. Her young parents came down and also joined in. The mother explained that she often has dreams that she and her daughter are flying and they are watching sea turtles; and she hopes to get more involved with the sea turtles some day as she is looking for some bigger meaning in life. As our conversation continued, I learned that the mother had just recently finished her last round of chemo for breast cancer.
I am so thankful that I took the time to practice "KaliWali", approached these families with openness vs. frustration, and had the chance to share education and receive education at the same time. The universe is so good to us when we allow it to happen.
week 6 John & Terri zone 1--Dogs on the Beach
Hi, Ginger--
It was a "buggy" morning on the beach!
John and I collected approximately two grocery bags of trash, including:
--black rubber gasket, about 5 inches in diameter
--2 men's tee shirts
--1 rusting beach chair
--1 child's top
--1 pair men's good quality flip flops
--2 beer cans
--1 champagne cork
--numerous water and soda bottles, and bottle caps
--candy and plastic wrappers
--bandaids
--fruit rinds
--tissues
--1 medium sized plastic toy bucket
--2 toy shovels
--1, one-quart oil can which had obviously been in the ocean long enough to be sprouting some sea life
--many plastic cups and 1 plastic fork
--one woman walking dog; she said she was aware of the prohibition but thought she was out early enough not to get caught
There was a fair amount of litter at Shell Island, enough to be seen glittering in the sunlight from a distance.
Terri
It was a "buggy" morning on the beach!
John and I collected approximately two grocery bags of trash, including:
--black rubber gasket, about 5 inches in diameter
--2 men's tee shirts
--1 rusting beach chair
--1 child's top
--1 pair men's good quality flip flops
--2 beer cans
--1 champagne cork
--numerous water and soda bottles, and bottle caps
--candy and plastic wrappers
--bandaids
--fruit rinds
--tissues
--1 medium sized plastic toy bucket
--2 toy shovels
--1, one-quart oil can which had obviously been in the ocean long enough to be sprouting some sea life
--many plastic cups and 1 plastic fork
--one woman walking dog; she said she was aware of the prohibition but thought she was out early enough not to get caught
There was a fair amount of litter at Shell Island, enough to be seen glittering in the sunlight from a distance.
Terri
Friday, June 10, 2011
week 6 michelle zone 4
Good Morning,
A gorgeous sunrise at Wrightsville Beach on this Wed the 8Th of June. Here is what I found at Zone 4--1 bag.
- 1 bottle top
- 1 hair band
- 2 broken plastic shovel handles
- 9 straws
- 3 plastic cup lids
- 1 toothbrush
- 1 toy shovel
- 2 toy sandcastle toys
- 5 Large sandcastles
- 8 holes
- 7 aluminum cans
- 6 plastic bottles
- 39 cigarette butts
It is interesting to me that most of the cigarette butts that I find are close to the sandcastles:(
Also there were MANY tire tracks near access 35. Sadly no sea turtle tracks. We will keep working to make it a clean beach for the mama turtles!!! Michelle
A gorgeous sunrise at Wrightsville Beach on this Wed the 8Th of June. Here is what I found at Zone 4--1 bag.
- 1 bottle top
- 1 hair band
- 2 broken plastic shovel handles
- 9 straws
- 3 plastic cup lids
- 1 toothbrush
- 1 toy shovel
- 2 toy sandcastle toys
- 5 Large sandcastles
- 8 holes
- 7 aluminum cans
- 6 plastic bottles
- 39 cigarette butts
It is interesting to me that most of the cigarette butts that I find are close to the sandcastles:(
Also there were MANY tire tracks near access 35. Sadly no sea turtle tracks. We will keep working to make it a clean beach for the mama turtles!!! Michelle
week 5 abrons/butler/doss find a clean zone 0 :-)
Dr. Doss and Laraine Butler went out to teach some elementary children about sea turtles. They also taught the children about the importance of cleaning up trash. Thank you Dr. Doss and Laraine.
Zone zero was very clean this morning. We found 1 drinking straw and 4 scraps of paper. Also a head ban and 2 nice pair of sun glasses.
Abrons/Butler/Doss
Zone zero was very clean this morning. We found 1 drinking straw and 4 scraps of paper. Also a head ban and 2 nice pair of sun glasses.
Abrons/Butler/Doss
week 5 nicole zone 2
Zone 2 picked up .75 grocery bag full of trash last Friday June 3rd. Seems like at least half of the trash was straws.
Nicole
Nicole
Overflowing Cans--photos by John Scott
I know we have talked about the cans overflowing several times. The good news is that beach goers are trying to throw away their garbage. The bad news is that they have so much garbage. When I learned that the town collects garbage twice a day and three times on the weekend, I was shocked to know that people produce that much litter. We have to do more education on reducing our consumption.
WB is doing what they can and they continue to consider other options. As John points out in his post below: the cans that are not close to the access points were not as full. I witnessed this myself last week as some cans were overflowing and others just had one bottle in it. So, one solution may be to place more cans at the popular access points. Thanks for the pics as they help in talking about the issues so that we can come up with workable solutions to keep WB Clean.
Ginger,
I went to Wrightsville Beach this morning in hopes of getting
pictures of the sunrise. When I arrived at Johnny Mercer Pier, this is what
I was greeted with. The balloon was near the surf line towards the Holiday
Inn. I did pick up the balloon, but I didn't have gloves or bags with me so
I did not pick up any of the other trash. I did notice that none of the blue
trash drums from the pier to the Holiday Inn were overflowing. I thought I'd
share the pictures with you.
Thank you for everything you're doing with the blog.
John
www.clifephoto.com
WB is doing what they can and they continue to consider other options. As John points out in his post below: the cans that are not close to the access points were not as full. I witnessed this myself last week as some cans were overflowing and others just had one bottle in it. So, one solution may be to place more cans at the popular access points. Thanks for the pics as they help in talking about the issues so that we can come up with workable solutions to keep WB Clean.
Ginger,
I went to Wrightsville Beach this morning in hopes of getting
pictures of the sunrise. When I arrived at Johnny Mercer Pier, this is what
I was greeted with. The balloon was near the surf line towards the Holiday
Inn. I did pick up the balloon, but I didn't have gloves or bags with me so
I did not pick up any of the other trash. I did notice that none of the blue
trash drums from the pier to the Holiday Inn were overflowing. I thought I'd
share the pictures with you.
Thank you for everything you're doing with the blog.
John
www.clifephoto.com
week 6 Morgan & Kathleen zone 0
Hi Ginger,
Morgan and I picked up the equivalent of 1 grocery bag in Zone 0 yesterday. The contents of the bag were:
1 t-shirt
1 pair of flip flops
1 binki
3 beer cans
4 plastic drink cups
25ish cigarette butts
7 various snack bags
4 straws
2 toy shovels
6 or so water bottle tops
Morgan and I picked up the equivalent of 1 grocery bag in Zone 0 yesterday. The contents of the bag were:
1 t-shirt
1 pair of flip flops
1 binki
3 beer cans
4 plastic drink cups
25ish cigarette butts
7 various snack bags
4 straws
2 toy shovels
6 or so water bottle tops
week 6 Dick & Linda/ bathing suit with no owner
TQ,
Zone 1 - 1 full grocery bag, one blanket, two towels. Linda found a man's bathing suit, owner not in sight. Rgds Dick and Linda
Zone 1 - 1 full grocery bag, one blanket, two towels. Linda found a man's bathing suit, owner not in sight. Rgds Dick and Linda
Thursday, June 9, 2011
It Starts With Me: Turtle Talk
Please click on the blue link below to read about our friend and fellow volunteer's educational trip to Norfolk, VA to visit a sea turtle stranding center. Thank you Danielle Richardet.
It Starts With Me: Turtle Talk: "On June 1st--thanks to an early morning call from my friend Ginger -- my kids and I went to the sea turtle release at Topsail Island . It w..."
It Starts With Me: Turtle Talk: "On June 1st--thanks to an early morning call from my friend Ginger -- my kids and I went to the sea turtle release at Topsail Island . It w..."
It Starts With Me: Talkin' Trash
I am posting a link to Danielle's blog below because she is able to capture in text and in pictures some of the reasons why we need to reduce our use of plastic. Please click on her link below to see her full posting.
It Starts With Me: Talkin' Trash: "Trash. It's everywhere. The average American produces 4.5 lbs of trash a day.... adding up to over 1,600 lbs per year. Over the weekend, ..."
It Starts With Me: Talkin' Trash: "Trash. It's everywhere. The average American produces 4.5 lbs of trash a day.... adding up to over 1,600 lbs per year. Over the weekend, ..."
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
It's a Sign!!!!
I know some of you have noticed the banner when you enter Wrightsville Beach. I have noticed it too, but silly me, did not notice until yesterday that it says: "Keep It Clean"!!!!
Well, you can imagine my excitement!!!! I called the Mayor!
I then ran into Mr. Bob Simpson, WB Town Manager, and told him how excited I was about the sign. And, then I saw BOA members, Lisa Weeks and Bill Blair at the WB Farmer's Market and told them how excited I was about the sign.
I learned that the Parks and Rec. committee came up with the logo for the banner and the art work was donated by Lynne (need to get her last name). So, I then went over to Parks and Rec. to express my excitement to Katie Ryan, Program Supervisor.
Is it a coincidence that WBSTP volunteers and Parks and Rec. had similar ideas??? Maybe, but I think it is a "sign" of good things to come. ;-)
It was so great to get out and about on WB yesterday and to talk to people who are excited about keeping the beach clean. It made me feel more positive and reminded me how much I love WB! I guess sometimes, you have to get your mind off the "trash" to remember what is good. Thank you WB for all you are doing and for continuing to work on keeping our beach beautiful!
Well, you can imagine my excitement!!!! I called the Mayor!
I then ran into Mr. Bob Simpson, WB Town Manager, and told him how excited I was about the sign. And, then I saw BOA members, Lisa Weeks and Bill Blair at the WB Farmer's Market and told them how excited I was about the sign.
I learned that the Parks and Rec. committee came up with the logo for the banner and the art work was donated by Lynne (need to get her last name). So, I then went over to Parks and Rec. to express my excitement to Katie Ryan, Program Supervisor.
Is it a coincidence that WBSTP volunteers and Parks and Rec. had similar ideas??? Maybe, but I think it is a "sign" of good things to come. ;-)
It was so great to get out and about on WB yesterday and to talk to people who are excited about keeping the beach clean. It made me feel more positive and reminded me how much I love WB! I guess sometimes, you have to get your mind off the "trash" to remember what is good. Thank you WB for all you are doing and for continuing to work on keeping our beach beautiful!
week 5 Andrea & Norm zone 3
Norm and I collected two grocery bags of trash last Saturday morning, two shirts, a baby's snuggle blanket, a flip flop and two bracelets.
week 5 Kathleen Holly 3 days in zone 5
Good Morning and happy Mem Day... this am went for my usual perambulator.. found, FOUND! 3 pkg of unopened bombs, 3 pkg (2 unopened rockets), launchers (used), exploded stuff, boxes the stuff came in, 2 pr googles (????), 1 pr men's flip flops, 5 empty Miller Lite cans and a cig lighter.. think that is pretty much that haul. I took the the unopened stuff over to the WBFD. Also found usual debris ... super soda cups, straws, candy wrappers.. but the firecracker really was the topper...
On my perambulation when I found the rockets.. there were a total of 3 pkg x 18 per pkg of unused rockets still in the sealed pkg. There were a total of 8 (2 4pks) unused rockets, 5 sparklers, a launcher.. forgot to put total.. it was a real find..
I did think of taking them home but wasn't sure if being on the beach had degraded them or whatever.. best let the FD have a crack at them..
Kathleen
had to share...
Kathleen
No signs of any turtles on my walks.. 2 bags of trash this am. beach chair and umbrella.. ladies bikini bottoms (I have an idea why.. found other items), boys shorts, glass wine bottles, Miller Lite Beer cans (5) (very popular beer), man's work glove, googles, paper litter, bait pkgs, 1 gal sealed containers with stuff.. (2; yuck) lots of cig butts today.. mostly Salems ????, kiddle shovel...
Alas, no mommy turtle came ashore..
Kathleen (june 2)
Hi Ginger.. I picked up 2 1 gal bags.. mostly cig butts, paper cups, straws, beer cans (the fascination with Miller Lite). Gave away 2 shovels I found.. One visitor who was fishing took one of her bags and began picking up too.. YEA!!!!! some fisherpeople and surfers thanked me.. The thanks goes to you and everyone else who makes the effort..
Kathleen
week 5 Dewi zone 0
Walked Zone 0 this morning--- no tracks !!
Trash report
1. 3/4 grocery plastic bag full of the usual rubbish
2. The containers at the access point (3) were full, but enough to put /push one more bag in.
3. At the North end of Zone 0 there is a small memorial type with a book and pen to write a thought down. Just before this there is an Auto tire, torn and full of sand, I could neither roll it or carry it, so I left on the side of the dune.
Regards
Dewi Rowlands
Trash report
1. 3/4 grocery plastic bag full of the usual rubbish
2. The containers at the access point (3) were full, but enough to put /push one more bag in.
3. At the North end of Zone 0 there is a small memorial type with a book and pen to write a thought down. Just before this there is an Auto tire, torn and full of sand, I could neither roll it or carry it, so I left on the side of the dune.
Regards
Dewi Rowlands
week 5 Susan zone 3-Thank you Public Works!!! (& 232 butts!)
As you can read in Susan's report below, there are times that things are just so messy, we prefer to not deal with them. Thank goodness we have the option. Unfortunately the Public Works folks don't. So, we really want to send out a big cheer to those who clean up the mess we don't dare to touch!!!!
Hi Ginger,
This morning in zone 3 was not as bad as last week. However, one thing that I did notice today was a really overwhelming number of cigarette butts. There were large groups of them clustered along the high tide line that appeared to have washed up with sea vegetation and shells.
Today I collected two bags of trash, and one bag of recyclabes (plastic bottles, beer cans, soda cans).
Among the trash were 3 balloons, sixteen plastic straws, and 232 cigarette butts.
My husband said that he was impressed that I bent down 232 times this morning. However, the sad thing is that oftentimes I was able to bend down once and pick up 5 or 6 butts at a time because there were so many.
Among the grosser items I collected were a pair of stringy women's underwear and a condom, both of which I approached with a gloved hand and a very long stick. There were also 2 overturned trashcans that I did not deal with. I felt rather bad about leaving the trash there on the ground, but I would have wanted a particulate mask, a rake, and more proper clothing to deal with that mess. It was pretty bad.
As always, the sunrise was glorious and I felt very fortunate to be there.
-Susan Miller
Hi Ginger,
This morning in zone 3 was not as bad as last week. However, one thing that I did notice today was a really overwhelming number of cigarette butts. There were large groups of them clustered along the high tide line that appeared to have washed up with sea vegetation and shells.
Today I collected two bags of trash, and one bag of recyclabes (plastic bottles, beer cans, soda cans).
Among the trash were 3 balloons, sixteen plastic straws, and 232 cigarette butts.
My husband said that he was impressed that I bent down 232 times this morning. However, the sad thing is that oftentimes I was able to bend down once and pick up 5 or 6 butts at a time because there were so many.
Among the grosser items I collected were a pair of stringy women's underwear and a condom, both of which I approached with a gloved hand and a very long stick. There were also 2 overturned trashcans that I did not deal with. I felt rather bad about leaving the trash there on the ground, but I would have wanted a particulate mask, a rake, and more proper clothing to deal with that mess. It was pretty bad.
As always, the sunrise was glorious and I felt very fortunate to be there.
-Susan Miller
Friday, June 3, 2011
KIC newsletter June 3, 2011
HI KICers!!!
Thank you all for picking up that trash and sending me your observations of what is going on at WB. I have updated the blog and you can click on it here: wbkeepitclean.blogspot.com.
When you look at the site, you may find that your report is not there yet, not to worry, I will be posting more soon.
I hope you are enjoying reading the reports and viewing the pics. I know I am.
Totals:
So far, we have picked up 111.5 bags of trash. (24.5 this week). If you have not sent in your reports yet, you can do it now and I will get it posted as soon as I can.
Tracks before Trash:
I appreciate the zealous spirit all of you have about keeping our ocean clean. However, for those of you who are WBSTP volunteers, I wanted to remind you to not forget to look for tracks. I have heard several of you say that sometimes there is so much trash, you have to remind yourself to look for tracks. I feel that way too sometimes, but lucky for me, John provides an extra set of eyes.
Please remember that the mission for WBSTP is to monitor for tracks. In the past years, I have suggested that volunteers walk in one direction for tracks and wait to collect trash on the way back. I know that once you take your eyes off a piece of trash, it is difficult to see it again and you may be tempted to go ahead and pick it up; that is fine as long as you also remember to carefully monitor for tracks. If we missed Mamma Turtle tracks, we would feel terrible; so please please remember: "Tracks before Trash".
Overflowing Trashcans
The pattern that has developed so far is that the trash cans and the recycling cans are often overflowing. I have learned that from Memorial Day until the end of the season, the trash is collected twice a day and three times a day on the weekends. A few of you have suggested and commented that an evening trash collection would be good as many people do not leave the beach until the evening, at which time, they leave their garbage (or at least try) in the trash cans. This creates a problem as the trash sometimes gets scattered on the wind or scattered by the birds in the morning. Also, when visitors walk across the dunes in the mornings, it is unsightly to be greeted by full trashcans overflowing onto the sand.
Another problem that is presented by overflowing trashcans is that good citizens do not have anywhere to place the garbage they have collected and this could discourage people from participating in spontaneous clean ups.
Remembrance
June 1 was a release day at the Sea Turtle Hospital. It was very exciting. If you have looked at the news stations, picked up the lumina newspaper or the star news paper, then you know a now healthy turtle by the name of Remembrance was among one of the released. This turtle is special to us because she was rescued from WB last Memorial Day (thus the name Remembrance). She was very thin, lethargic and just about lifeless at the time of her rescue. However, on Wednesday, she was robust, active and raring to go!!!! You can see pictures and read about her release at http://www.luminanews.com/section.asp?sid=23&iid=275 or at http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110601/ARTICLES/110609974. If you go to the star news site, scroll down to "more photos" and click on "2011 Summer Turtle Release". If you prefer the Jacksonville Daily News, you can click here: http://www.jdnews.com/articles/-91658--.html
You can also see pics on the WB facebook page posted by our own Susan Miller: https://www.facebook.com/WrightsvilleBeachSeaTurtleProject?ref=ts
or on Topsail Voice facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Topsail-Voice/103353583036131
You can watch the WWAY video here: http://www.wwaytv3.com/video/2011/06/sea-turtles-rehabbed-and-returned-to-the-sea or the News Channel 14 video here: http://coastal.news14.com/content/641798/rehabilitation-center-sends-25-sea-turtles-back-home
I have to say this is my favorite release yet. It was more magical than I can explain and the whole universe seemed to come together in celebration. There was a huge Sting Ray (largest I have ever seen) in the sound behind the hospital prior to the release; and there was a very huge owl on the base of the water tower when we returned to the hospital after the release (purely amazing). The owl's talons were as large or larger than my hand. I could not believe my eyes!!
But even better than all of that, for me, was that Amanda Andrews sang a native american song to Remembrance while we were in route to release Remembrance to her true mother, Mother Ocean. Translation of the song's words have been lost over the generations, but the song is sung to send positive energy. It brought tears to my eyes and I will never forget it!!!!
Thank you all for your dedication to our Earth.
Here are before and after pics of Remembrance that was shared with me by Amanda. In the before pic, she was placed on a flotation device to help her float so that she would eat.
ginger
Thank you all for picking up that trash and sending me your observations of what is going on at WB. I have updated the blog and you can click on it here: wbkeepitclean.blogspot.com.
When you look at the site, you may find that your report is not there yet, not to worry, I will be posting more soon.
I hope you are enjoying reading the reports and viewing the pics. I know I am.
Totals:
So far, we have picked up 111.5 bags of trash. (24.5 this week). If you have not sent in your reports yet, you can do it now and I will get it posted as soon as I can.
Tracks before Trash:
I appreciate the zealous spirit all of you have about keeping our ocean clean. However, for those of you who are WBSTP volunteers, I wanted to remind you to not forget to look for tracks. I have heard several of you say that sometimes there is so much trash, you have to remind yourself to look for tracks. I feel that way too sometimes, but lucky for me, John provides an extra set of eyes.
Please remember that the mission for WBSTP is to monitor for tracks. In the past years, I have suggested that volunteers walk in one direction for tracks and wait to collect trash on the way back. I know that once you take your eyes off a piece of trash, it is difficult to see it again and you may be tempted to go ahead and pick it up; that is fine as long as you also remember to carefully monitor for tracks. If we missed Mamma Turtle tracks, we would feel terrible; so please please remember: "Tracks before Trash".
Overflowing Trashcans
The pattern that has developed so far is that the trash cans and the recycling cans are often overflowing. I have learned that from Memorial Day until the end of the season, the trash is collected twice a day and three times a day on the weekends. A few of you have suggested and commented that an evening trash collection would be good as many people do not leave the beach until the evening, at which time, they leave their garbage (or at least try) in the trash cans. This creates a problem as the trash sometimes gets scattered on the wind or scattered by the birds in the morning. Also, when visitors walk across the dunes in the mornings, it is unsightly to be greeted by full trashcans overflowing onto the sand.
Another problem that is presented by overflowing trashcans is that good citizens do not have anywhere to place the garbage they have collected and this could discourage people from participating in spontaneous clean ups.
Remembrance
June 1 was a release day at the Sea Turtle Hospital. It was very exciting. If you have looked at the news stations, picked up the lumina newspaper or the star news paper, then you know a now healthy turtle by the name of Remembrance was among one of the released. This turtle is special to us because she was rescued from WB last Memorial Day (thus the name Remembrance). She was very thin, lethargic and just about lifeless at the time of her rescue. However, on Wednesday, she was robust, active and raring to go!!!! You can see pictures and read about her release at http://www.luminanews.com/section.asp?sid=23&iid=275 or at http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110601/ARTICLES/110609974. If you go to the star news site, scroll down to "more photos" and click on "2011 Summer Turtle Release". If you prefer the Jacksonville Daily News, you can click here: http://www.jdnews.com/articles/-91658--.html
You can also see pics on the WB facebook page posted by our own Susan Miller: https://www.facebook.com/WrightsvilleBeachSeaTurtleProject?ref=ts
or on Topsail Voice facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Topsail-Voice/103353583036131
You can watch the WWAY video here: http://www.wwaytv3.com/video/2011/06/sea-turtles-rehabbed-and-returned-to-the-sea or the News Channel 14 video here: http://coastal.news14.com/content/641798/rehabilitation-center-sends-25-sea-turtles-back-home
I have to say this is my favorite release yet. It was more magical than I can explain and the whole universe seemed to come together in celebration. There was a huge Sting Ray (largest I have ever seen) in the sound behind the hospital prior to the release; and there was a very huge owl on the base of the water tower when we returned to the hospital after the release (purely amazing). The owl's talons were as large or larger than my hand. I could not believe my eyes!!
But even better than all of that, for me, was that Amanda Andrews sang a native american song to Remembrance while we were in route to release Remembrance to her true mother, Mother Ocean. Translation of the song's words have been lost over the generations, but the song is sung to send positive energy. It brought tears to my eyes and I will never forget it!!!!
Thank you all for your dedication to our Earth.
Here are before and after pics of Remembrance that was shared with me by Amanda. In the before pic, she was placed on a flotation device to help her float so that she would eat.
ginger
week5 Rick and Jill, zones 0 & 4
We had one full grocery bag of trash on Tuesday, May 31 on zone 4 - which isn't bad considering it was such a busy Memorial Day weekend.
For today, 6/3 on zone 0 - we had 1/2 grocery bag -- we were wondering if you had lost your half slip last night -- the one with ruffles on it, or perhaps your colander? Dora the Explorer sunglasses maybe?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jill
For today, 6/3 on zone 0 - we had 1/2 grocery bag -- we were wondering if you had lost your half slip last night -- the one with ruffles on it, or perhaps your colander? Dora the Explorer sunglasses maybe?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jill
week 5, Patrick and Kim Shovlin--zone 5
hi ginger,
Yesterday we walked zone 5. Using a lowes food plastic bag and we filled it up ! :] Heres what we found
2 pairs of socks
3 sand toys
1ballon
1 bud light can
2 beer bottles
1 random sock
5 pieces of random plastic
a plastic x
2 tops
23 ciggererts
a magizine subscription
a box of tissues
2 zip ties
and thats it we enjoyed walking and whacthing the sun rise until next thanks
PJ out
Yesterday we walked zone 5. Using a lowes food plastic bag and we filled it up ! :] Heres what we found
2 pairs of socks
3 sand toys
1ballon
1 bud light can
2 beer bottles
1 random sock
5 pieces of random plastic
a plastic x
2 tops
23 ciggererts
a magizine subscription
a box of tissues
2 zip ties
and thats it we enjoyed walking and whacthing the sun rise until next thanks
PJ out
week5 Michelle L. zone 4--overflowing recycling & 17 holes!!!!
Another report of overflowing trashcans---it seems we may need more trashcans or more trash collections. The good news about this is that people are trying to recycle and trying to throw their trash away, they just need a place to do so.
17 holes!!! way too many. Dangerous for beach goers and nesting turtles!!!
Also, Michelle is the lucky volunteer to find evidence that the beach can still be "a romantic experience"---but used condoms are just gross. Beach goers, please use safe sex, but take your condoms with you!!!
Another beautiful morning at Zone 4 on this first day of June. I collected one FULL bag of trash.
- 1 plastic fork
- 1 plastic spoon
- 2 water bottles
- 1 beer can
- 2 toy shovels
- 1 toy squirt gun
- 4 straws
- 1 large boogie board that was washing in with the tide
- 1 12" piece of PVC pipe
- 1 used condom
- 17 holes
- 3 sand castles
- 2 grocery receipts
- 1 price tag from clothing
- lots of small pieces of paper
- lots of small pieces of plastic
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: 23 CIGARETTE BUTTS
The plastic recycling barrel by the Oceanic was overflowing!
17 holes!!! way too many. Dangerous for beach goers and nesting turtles!!!
Also, Michelle is the lucky volunteer to find evidence that the beach can still be "a romantic experience"---but used condoms are just gross. Beach goers, please use safe sex, but take your condoms with you!!!
Another beautiful morning at Zone 4 on this first day of June. I collected one FULL bag of trash.
- 1 plastic fork
- 1 plastic spoon
- 2 water bottles
- 1 beer can
- 2 toy shovels
- 1 toy squirt gun
- 4 straws
- 1 large boogie board that was washing in with the tide
- 1 12" piece of PVC pipe
- 1 used condom
- 17 holes
- 3 sand castles
- 2 grocery receipts
- 1 price tag from clothing
- lots of small pieces of paper
- lots of small pieces of plastic
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: 23 CIGARETTE BUTTS
The plastic recycling barrel by the Oceanic was overflowing!
week 5 zone 1 John and Terri
Ginger,
On our patrol this morning in Zone 1, Terri and I picked up two full bags of trash (H/T size). I guess because of the holiday weekend, there was much to collect. There were pieces of a whole watermelon, eaten by people and finished off by the gulls; several orange skins; a large quantity of fireworks residue; candy wrappers; men's underwear, bra cups, straws, cigarette butts, children's beach toys, and several towels. We also found in one spot in front of Shell Island an abandoned beach chair, towels, and clothing which we did not collect.
The most interesting thing we saw was a pretty good sand sculpture. See attached photo.
week 5 Jenny Johnston zone 5
The below post (in green) is from Jenny Johnston. I have a real affinity for Jenny even though I have never met her in person, just through our trashy talking turtlers emails; but just like all of you, she is a kindred spirit. I will always hold close the passage Jenny sent to me from the book: Animal Speak. The passage is about turtles and I think it really expresses what we are trying to do to help our planet. I included this passage in a couple of our letters in the past and I will include it here on the blog so that we may never forget it: ...Turtles remind us that the way to heaven is through the earth. In Mother Earth is all that we need. She will care for us, protect us, and nurture us, as long as we do the same for her. For that to happen we must slow down and heighten our sensibilities. We must see the connection to all things. Just as the turtle cannot separate itself from its shell, neither can we separate ourselves from what we do to the Earth...
May we all continue to care for Mother Earth as she is caring for us.
Hi Ginger,
May we all continue to care for Mother Earth as she is caring for us.
Hi Ginger,
I walked (substitute), Zone 5, Sunday-May 29, and picked up one grocery store size bag of trash. Not a bad day considering the holiday weekend.
Have a great summer!
Hoping for some Mama Turtles this year!
Thanks,
Jenny Johnston
A word about overflowing trashcans. week 5 Linda and Dick zone 1
Dick and Linda make a great suggestion about trash needing to be collected in the evening (see their comments in below in blue). I agree and I have been involved in other conversations about this same matter. It seems that a fair number of people are still at the beach by the last trash pick-up and when they leave, they take their garbage to the cans (at least some do) which leaves the cans overflowing. This creates a problem as the winds blow the garbage out at night and birds scavenge in the mornings, scattering the garbage up and down the beach.
I have asked some questions about garbage collection schedules and learned that from Memorial Day to Labor Day, garbage is collected twice a day and three times a day on the weekends. However, this is still not enough when we are all reporting overflowing trashcans. It is really sad to think that we produce this much garbage, isn't it?
WB makes money on tourism, but there is a cost to clean up. Hopefully, WB is continuing to assess this situation and will come up with a workable solution. A difficult problem at times to balance costs, but overflowing trash cans is just not cool and it poses a threat to our coastal environment and wildlife.
TQ,
Zone 1 - Linda and I had to very full grocery bags full of trash. I think WB needs to empty the trash cans more often in that they were all overflowing on to the beach. Since people were starting to arrive as we were leaving, it should have been done the evening before. Just a thought. Rgds Dick and Linda
I have asked some questions about garbage collection schedules and learned that from Memorial Day to Labor Day, garbage is collected twice a day and three times a day on the weekends. However, this is still not enough when we are all reporting overflowing trashcans. It is really sad to think that we produce this much garbage, isn't it?
WB makes money on tourism, but there is a cost to clean up. Hopefully, WB is continuing to assess this situation and will come up with a workable solution. A difficult problem at times to balance costs, but overflowing trash cans is just not cool and it poses a threat to our coastal environment and wildlife.
TQ,
Zone 1 - Linda and I had to very full grocery bags full of trash. I think WB needs to empty the trash cans more often in that they were all overflowing on to the beach. Since people were starting to arrive as we were leaving, it should have been done the evening before. Just a thought. Rgds Dick and Linda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)