International Coastal Cleanup – Results and Commentary

November 11th, 2009 |

I have compiled the data from several small cleanups, and have it ready to send off to the Ocean Conservancy. I have learned that there is an awful lot of planning involved in organizing these cleanups, and now isn’t too soon to start for 2010!

Here are the results I was able to assemble from some wonderful volunteers:

DATE	LOCATION	CITY, STATE	RESULTS	COMMENTS
09/11/2009	Rowlett Creek @ Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve	Plano, TX	0 volunteers	Stormy weather threatened and eventually happened 2 hours after the start time.
09/12/2009	White Rock Lake	Dallas, TX	8 volunteers, 3 bags of trash, 1 bag of recyclables; 2 hours	This data collection effort coincided with an existing monthly lake cleanup by area lake enthusiasts known as FTLOTL.
09/18/2009	Rowlett Creek @ the Outdoor Learning Center	Plano, TX	5 volunteers, 300 pounds of glass and plastic debris	A fellow Texas Master Naturalist lead a small group of youth volunteers.
10/10/2009	White Rock Lake	Dallas, TX	1 volunteer, 1/2 bag of trash, 1/2 bag of recyclables; 2 hours	This time it was just me, and I can attest to the difficulty of collecting debris and data at the same time!
10/31/2009	White Rock Lake	Dallas, TX	8 volunteers, 14 bags, 9.2 miles, 280 pounds; 2 hours	A group of college students from SMU turned in this outstanding bit of work.

I have learned that there are groups of volunteers all over Texas who work hard to keep our waterways safe and clean for people and wildlife. Many of these volunteers do not keep data on the debris they collect, and if they do, it is not usually as detailed as the Ocean Conservancy data cards. The Ocean Conservancy’s glaring lack of data for Texas – as compared to California and Florida – is the item that spurred me to action in the first place. I initially thought that we Texans were not taking care of our shorelines and waterways as well as CA and FL. I no longer believe this – I think that the Ocean Conservancy simply doesn’t have the organization on the ground to collect the data.

Why is data collection so important? My belief is that data supports facts, and facts can fuel change. Many American and International organizations believe this as well. The Ocean Conservancy is just one fine organization among many, dedicated to the protection and restoration of our oceanic ecosystems. If you feel motivated to join with others dedicated to a similar cause, you have many options.

After participating in a couple of cleanups and visiting with organizers of long-running river cleanups in Texas, I believe that all of the trash pickup in the world is no match for changes in human behaviors and values. This is where the need for facts and science plays a huge role, because people have to believe there is a problem before they will even consider changing their ways.

In summary, I have been enriched by my ICC experience this year, and I know that I will continue to discover ways to help raise awareness about conservation issues. I look forward to next year’s ICC, and will continue to keep a page dedicated to ocean and inland waterway conservation.

Posted in Conservation |

Tags: ICC, ocean, waterway

jason:

November 12, 2009 at 12:45 pm

This is exceptional, Amber! You’re such an inspiration. This effort–volunteers addressing the litter problem by doing something about it–is more than admirable. But as you say, volunteers going out and picking it up is dealing with the issue after the fact. The really important change is going to take more work…

Sandy:

November 12, 2009 at 12:47 pm

I’ll be out at White Rock for this second saturday shoreline cleanup. If anyone wants to join us, head on out!

Amber Coakley:

November 12, 2009 at 9:21 pm

Jason-thank you. I’ll keep plugging away, trying to save the planet!

Sandy-it would take something like – I don’t know…my birthday – to keep me away from the monthly shoreline spruce-up at White Rock Lake. I am dragging my family out to Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge that day. I am so excited! I’ll look for you at December’s cleanup.