With all of the polarizing topics in the world today, it’s nice to know that the vast majority at least agree on something: littering and improper trash management is an issue!
Trash in places that it isn’t supposed to be is a common sight these days, and it is costly from an economic and environmental standpoint. Several surveys have shown that litter is one of the top reasons that deter tourists from visiting certain locations. Personally, my family has decided to not visit certain beaches due to worrying about our kids playing with trash. Cities and towns often spend a good portion of their budgets to continually clean up littered areas. Additionally, the environmental impact of litter in our waterways (termed marine debris here on the coast) is known to be substantial.
We all see the news stories showing dolphins, turtles and birds impacted by litter, but we rarely hear about the impacts on less charismatic, but extremely important, critters like shrimp, fish and smaller organisms at the base of the food web.
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant has supported Coastal Cleanup Programs in both Alabama and Mississippi to help address these issues through prevention education, cleanups and other litter-free focused activities. However, the reach of these programs is focused on coastal areas, and a good portion of the litter we encounter on the coast comes from upstream (water flows downhill right?).
In an effort to expand Mississippi Coastal Cleanup activities inland, the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program recently awarded us a grant to start a Mississippi Inland Cleanup Program that will complement and build upon many of the litter-free initiatives throughout the state to reduce litter issues. A website for this program was recently developed. In addition to developing the website, one of the first things we want to do with this program is develop an inventory of locations that could benefit from a community-based cleanup or education activities.
If you know of good cleanup location, please complete this short form, and we will follow-up with you. Contact me directly (contact info below) if you would like to discuss some education activities for any type of audience (kids, adults, civic groups, clubs, etc.).
As mentioned earlier, one of the main goals of this program is to complement other ongoing litter prevention or removal activities. One BIG one that is coming up soon (next two weekends) is the Pearl River Clean Sweep. This is an extremely fun and impactful event, so check it out! We may see you out there!
Feel free to contact me, the director of coastal and marine extension with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and coastal ecology specialist with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, at eric.sparks@msstate.edu or 228-546-1025.