Year: 2020
Project(s):
Relevance
Litter is an issue that impairs the environment, stormwater infrastructure, tourism and industry along coastlines.
Response
In 2016, a Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-funded extension specialist took over coordination and training duties for the long-running Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program with the mission of preventing and removing litter from the coastal environment through education, outreach, research and cleanup events.
Results
Sea Grant organized or facilitated 10 cleanup events during 2020. The events attracted 1,039 volunteers who contributed 4,156 volunteer hours and removed 13.9 tons of litter, which carries a conservative ecosystem service impact of $45,870. Volunteers also collected data on the types of litter to identify sources and design targeted prevention methods, a value that exceeded $113,043.
Recap
The Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program, coordinated by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant extension specialists, removed over 13.9 tons of litter from the coastal environment while educating more than 1,039 youth and adult volunteers about marine debris. (2020)