Clean up with the Ocean Conservancy

I would argue that South Walton has some of the cleanest beaches anywhere...thankfully...even after the oil spill. Still, walking the beach on a regular basis, I am struck at the trash that washes up from points unknown and saddened at the trash visitors accidentally leave behind. So whenever there is a clean-up, I'm happy to attend. This weekend's clean-up is an international event in association with the Ocean Conservancy.

The idea with this event is to engage volunteers on a worldwide basis to clean-up shorelines from the coasts, lakes, rivers and streams in order to identify and record every item picked up. That way we can get a clear picture of what manufactured items are impacting ocean health. Sounds like a solidly  productive idea to me. The body of data recorded helps us to create action that will rid the ocean of harmful trash.

Trash I see on a daily basis is plastic. Lots of bottles and plastic sand pails and associated debris. Brightly colored as most of it is, these mischievous items slip out of beach bags or are inadvertently forgotten by budding sand sculptors and young architects distracted by some other coastal wonder (and there are lots of pleasant distractions at the beach, so I don't blame them). Plastic beach toys often find their way into the surf, getting washed up later in the day or week, they then get buried in the sand only to be uncovered later often broken and brittle. This is a necessary tool at the beach for the building of sand castles and I don't suggest we get rid of toys but wouldn't it be nice if they were made out of biodegradable material? Maybe someday. Until then may I suggest vigilance when it comes to picking up after a beach day.

Beach clean-ups are also another occasion to see our neighbors. These events usually bring out what I like to call "the usual suspects". Walton County is not all that populated and you get to know the locals if not by name, by face, or reputation. Picture a dose of Carl Hiaasen characters, southern gentry, the beautiful people, beach bums, surfer dudes and "fish heads" and you will start to get the picture. All walks of life and all political bents...everyone with one thing in common, a basic, kind of primal love of the NW Florida coast. 

Anyhow, Bruce and I will be at the Blue Mountain Beach access on Saturday Sept 17th at 8am. The weather is beautiful and the water has been downright spectacular so this task will  be a very enjoyable Mitzvah.