ANGELS OF THE WATERWAYS
YOUR W.A.K.E. U.P. CALL
“We do not quit." -President Barack H. Obama
Similar to the State of the Union address by President Obama, "we are not getting the job done!"
Vic Consiglio of Operation Splash gave his presentation to us about the Great South Bay's pollution problem at our January general meeting. Shortly thereafter it was announced by New York conservation officials that a plan to list Long Island's Great South Bay among the state's "impaired waters" is eminent. This decision was made mainly due to a second deadly brown tide in two years. Operation Splash has been working on the Great South Bay's pollution situation for years and only now is something to be done...maybe!
Newsday featured an article about certain towns in Nassau and Suffolk counties and how they graded in the Citizens Campaign for the Environment's 2009 Long Island Recycling Report. Most of our towns fared well and did show progress, however, the report did state that "there is room for improvement especially in our schools. Schools are crucial because they not only can reduce today's trash but create tomorrow's recyclers!" Progress must increase in our recycling programs by practice and awareness.
On a positve note, Westport, CT became the first town on the East Coast to ban retailers from distributing plastic bags. Sadly, not one town on Long Island has embraced this policy. We must continue to discourage the use of plastic bags by bringing our own tote bags, use brown paper bags or use no bags at all.
Together we make a difference!
We are proud to pass along to you the following information. The totals are in for our cleanups during the 2009 calendar year, and because of our 72 volunteers, the Massapequa Lake, Tobay Marina and various waterways in Massapequa's Great South Bay are cleaner. How clean? Here is a breakdown of what was collected: 803 bags (paper or plastic), 304 cups, plates, knives, forks, spoons, 1,001 food wrappers/containers, 329 plastic beverage bottles, 172 glass beverage bottles, 278 beverage cans, 441 caps, lids, 50 pull tabs, 22 six pack holders, 140 straws, stirrers, 35 clothing/shoes, 39 toys, 1,402 cigarettes/cigarette filters, 48 cigarette lighters, 48 cigar tips, 206 tobacco packing/wrappers, 16 bait containers/packing 21 buoys/floats, 22 fishing line, 9 fishing lures, 21 rope, 5 bleach/cleaner bottles, 4 oil/lube bottles, 1 appliances, 28 building materials, 9 condoms, 1 diapers, 3 tampon/tampon applicators, 3 syringes, car battery, push cart, baby carriage, styrofoam, 30 foot plastic fencing, umbrella frame, signs, endless pieces of broken glass and a dead bird. We spent a total of 62 1/2 hours, and removed pounds of debris in 72 bags during our 2009 cleanups! We know it was much more, but when our volunteers completed their cleanup report with words like “many,” "numerous" or “ridiculous amount,” unfortunately this can not be tallied into the end total. In addition, no information was noted on some of the cleanup reports where the hours, bags filled and estimated weight should be noted. In spite of this, you can get a good idea of what, how much and how many dedicated hours our volunteers placed into this project. Many thanks to our 72 volunteers, some who have been with us from the start of this program, to our cubs scouts and boy scouts who participated this year...great job!
Through the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup it has become more evident that marine debris is also coming from land based sources. Together, let’s work to do our part to help solve this worldwide problem. Unfortunately, removing existing debris is only a temporary solution. Marine debris pollution can only truly be managed through prevention.
We continue to need your help. We need your time. We need your support and commitment. We welcome your ideas and suggestions. We can not do this without YOU! Please join us. Come and show your community that you care!
Okay, perhaps "we are not getting the job done" is overstated. The job is getting done, but at a snails pace. We need to pick up our stride. We need to remain focused on solutions. We need to continue to promote awareness and combat water debris and it's source; practice the "three r's": reuse, reduce and recycle, and remember and practice the importance of keeping our home, vehicles and boats "green." Knowledge is power! We must continue to educate ourselves, each other, our neighbors, our community and our community leaders, we must show we care...we do not quit!
Together we make a difference!
Again, thank you for your hard work and valuable time spent on each cleanup!
We will, again, be participants in the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 25, 2010. This is the world's oldest and largest volunteer effort to clean up our marine environment. Your involvement on this day will truly make a difference! Please visit the "Ocean Conservancy" page on our website for more information on this cleanup and how you can make a difference. The American Littoral Society is New York State's Cleanup sponsor and coordinator for the Ocean Conservancy. Since 1961, the American Littoral Society has empowered people to care for the coast through advocating, learning, and conserving. Founded by divers and naturalists with a desire to learn more about the littoral zone, today our more than 5,000 members in 49 states are scientists, naturalists, environmentalists, divers, fishing enthusiasts, and citizens from all walks of life. They live on the coast, near the coast, and even far from the coast. Headquartered on Sandy Hook in Highlands, New Jersey, they are a non-profit organization with chapters serving the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions. They invite you to visit their website at: www.littoralsociety.org to learn about, enjoy, and explore the coast and their work in conserving its beauty and bounty for our generation and generations to come.
The report card is in for the 2009 Ocean Conservancy’s Coastal Cleanup effort for participants in the New York State area. According to the American Littoral Society, there was a total of 9,896 volunteers at almost 300 sites, scoured 300 miles of shoreline, and collected 134,530 pounds of debris! Whew! The 2009 data collected reveals the following “Dirty Dozen”: 61,260 cigarettes/filters; 29,987 food wrappers/containers; 38,183 caps/lids; 21,596 beverage bottles (plastic); 17,508 cups, forks, knives, spoons; 15,010 beverage bottles (glass); 13,884 beverage cans; 17,999 straws, stirrers; 5,740 balloons; 25,309 plastic bags; 9,021 paper bags, and 6,389 clothing, shoes.
The Ocean Conservancy recently announced that during the 24th International Coastal Cleanup (2009), 6.8 million pounds of debris was collected along the world's waterways. This event involved 6,485 individual sites in 104 countries and 42 U.S. states, with nearly 400,000 volunteers participating.
It is our hope that you continue to volunteer in this very important cleanup. Please “save this date” and join us on September 25, 2010!
Earth Day
Every year, April 22, 2009 is Earth Day. Earth Day, as described by Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2008, “is a day dedicated to the environmental health of our planet. Earth Day is observed in the United States, Canada and many other countries around the world with programs designed to educate people about Earth’s environment and threats to the environment. Activities intended to improve the environment also take place.
Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970 by its founder Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. By 1990 Earth Day had become an international event, with more than 200 million people in 141 countries participating. Environmental groups use Earth Day as an occasion to draw attention to current local and global environmental problems and to discuss commonsense solutions.”
Please join us at our first cleanup of 2010 on April 24th at 10:00am at the Massapequa Lake. This cleanup will be devoted to Earth Day. It is time for us to unite, act and protect our waterways. Please volunteer! Hope to see you there!
Earth911.com Making Every Day Earth Day
Earth911.com is your one-stop shop for all you need to know about reducing your impact, reusing what you’ve got and recycling your trash. Get involved by checking in for daily news, reading weekly feature stories, surfing product channels and opting into weekly emails. Please log on to their website for tips galore!
Tips for Minimizing Grey Water Discharge Although is may seem harmless, grey water — the soapy water resulting from boat maintenance activities — can pose a threat to the marine environment. Containing toxins like phosphates, chlorine, inorganic salts and metals, this soapy water can pollute ecosystems and fish supplies. Since boats are not connected to a sanitary sewer system, grey water flows untreated from onboard sinks and showers into our local waterways and oceans.
Use shore-side facilities. For shorter day trips, bring your dirty dishes home to wash and, whenever possible, take showers on shore.
Use alternative cleaners. Baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar can all perform as well as commercial cleaning products without the harmful by products.
Use phosphate-free and non-toxic soaps. Check product labels and avoid cleaners that advise “do not get in eyes” or “always wear gloves.” These products are more likely to harm you and our environment.
Use less product. A little cleaner can go a long way, especially when combined with a bit of elbow grease! Wash decks and hulls frequently with fresh water to avoid the use of harsh, corrosive cleaners.
Remember it is illegal to dump plastic, dunnage, lining, and packing materials that float and any garbage except dishwater/greywater/fresh fish parts inside three miles from shore, in U.S. lakes, rivers, bays and sounds and anywhere on the Great Lakes no matter how far from shore. This is the law.
World Ocean Day is June 8, 2009
According to The Ocean Project’s recent news release, “on June 8th hundreds of communities around the globe will celebrate the 16th annual World Ocean Day — an opportunity to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea and to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help to protect it.”
What can you do? Take The Ocean Projects 7C’s pledge for ocean conservation. Pledge to navigate our waterways and to adjust your habits by:
Commit to making a real difference.
Conserve in my home.
Consume consciously.
Challenge myself daily.
Connect in my community
Communicate my interest and concerns.
Celebrate our Ocean.
Please visit The Ocean Project at www.oceanproject.org to get detailed information regarding the 7C’s pledge and lots more.
Our W.AK.E. U.P. program is noted as a partner of The Ocean Project.
Please visit our other pages on this website for information and tips on "Environmental Issues", "Safety Tips", "Boaters Awareness & Stewardship", "Event Photos" and more!
Together we will work to do our part to help solve this worldwide problem!
*****************************************************************
What were you searching for? What were you researching? How did you find our website?
Please help us to help you. Let us know how you found us and what you think of the information:
We thank you for visiting our website and hope you found it informative.
Together We Make a Difference !
Updated March 18, 2009