INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN UP
IN CEDAR KEY 2024
2024 September 21
IN CEDAR KEY 2024
2024 September 21
Again, the community effort of cleaning up the waters occurred in Cedar Key today, Sponsored by the City of Cedar Key, the University of Florida Nature Coast Biological Station, and the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, the community joined coastal communities around the world to address the need to clean debris from surrounding waters.
Leading the meaningful, environmental effort on all fronts was the University of Florida Nature Coast Biological Station’s Emily Colson. Colson registered folks, on foot and in boats, and suggested places for them to collect debris. When they returned, Colson collected the data and saw to it that remote debris piles would be collected and recycled properly.
DEBRIS COLLECTION
Local boats gathered fishing nets, other fishing gear, wood, and other debris and deposited it in the waiting garbage bins.
Local boats gathered fishing nets, other fishing gear, wood, and other debris and deposited it in the waiting garbage bins.
Students, both local and from Williston, picked up cigarette butts along Dock Street, and First and Second Streets. Later the butts will be counted and added to the long list of those collected in earlier years, with students hoping the number will diminish.
All about the island folks wandered, stooping, collecting, carrying bags upon bags. Understanding the effort’s importance, Gainesville’s Ty Washington brought out his fifteen-person crew from Coca-Cola to help Cedar Key.
Two large black containers were on site to collect the marine debris found. Well before 10:30 am, one container was overflowing and the second partially filled. Mostly filled with cover nets, other debris included clam bags, buoys, oyster bags, and lease markers.
MUSIC WAFTED
Music wafted about the volunteers, making the day more enjoyable. Mike and Mary Peterson played and sang, Buffet-like, Cedar Key-ish tunes brought forth many a smile from workers and volunteers alike.
Music wafted about the volunteers, making the day more enjoyable. Mike and Mary Peterson played and sang, Buffet-like, Cedar Key-ish tunes brought forth many a smile from workers and volunteers alike.
LUNCH
Lunch was served by members of the Woman’s Club. Hot dogs, bratwurst, fresh fruit cups, chips, and cookies were the fare, much appreciated by the tired workers.
Lunch was served by members of the Woman’s Club. Hot dogs, bratwurst, fresh fruit cups, chips, and cookies were the fare, much appreciated by the tired workers.
INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN UP HISTORY
The International Coastal Cleanup began more than 30 years ago when Linda Maraniss and a colleague at the Ocean Conservancy, Kathy O’Hara, reached out to the Texas General Land Office, local businesses, and ocean lovers. This became the Conservancy’s first clean up. They asked the volunteers to not only pick up the trash, but also to record the trash to learn how to keep trash out of the oceans. Now, over 30 years later, this has become the largest single-day ocean cleanup event in the world.
The International Coastal Cleanup began more than 30 years ago when Linda Maraniss and a colleague at the Ocean Conservancy, Kathy O’Hara, reached out to the Texas General Land Office, local businesses, and ocean lovers. This became the Conservancy’s first clean up. They asked the volunteers to not only pick up the trash, but also to record the trash to learn how to keep trash out of the oceans. Now, over 30 years later, this has become the largest single-day ocean cleanup event in the world.
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