Hailey Merrill spreading the world in El Sal
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education (C.A.R.E).
The Charleston Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation concentrates on keeping our beaches and waterways free of trash to keep the Lowcountry beautiful, for your enjoyment.
The Charleston Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation concentrates on keeping our beaches and waterways free of trash to keep the Lowcountry beautiful, for your enjoyment.
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A note from the Chapter Chair...
I took over as Chair of our Surfrider Chapter in September of 2010, and this last year has really been a great experience for me. I have met many new people and we have seen our meeting and sweep attendance increase by almost 50%. Maybe it's the free pizza and guest speakers at the meetings, or the free t-shirts for attending four functions, but whatever it is, it's definitely working.
In April of this year we were asked to become a partner with the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium, and it is an honor to be able to partner with such a great program.
In June of this year we started a pilot program with Carolina Clear, a project of the Clemson Extension focusing on urban stormwater systems, to try and reduce cigarette butt litter on Folly Beach. During our August and September sweeps we collected over 9,000 cigarette butts in a four block area to get a baseline of how many butts are being littered. Next year during the same time will, we will be distributing free personal ash trays (supplied and funded by Carolina Clear) at the beach accesses in this same four block area and then collecting and counting the butt litter. If all goes well, we will be reducing the butt litter, leading to more funding and an increase in the program. I feel confident this will be a successful program.
Presently we maintain around 15 butt cannons at Folly Beach beach accesses and based upon their use we have found that if you give smokers an opportunity to dispose of their butts properly they will.
Our Mutt Mitt program which gives pet owners a convenient way to dispose of their pet waste continues to be a huge success. Since May, almost 18,000 mutt mitt bags have been used in the 25 mutt mitt dispensers we have purchased and installed at the beach walkovers at Folly.
In a continuing effort to engage the younger generation we have been to 4 local schools talking to surf clubs and science clubs about the importance of keeping our coastal waters healthy, and spreading the mission of Sufrider Foundation through Conservation, Activism, Research and Education. C.A.R.E.
Although we do regular beach sweeps to keep our beaches and waterways clean, prevention is the most important aspect of what we do. If we could convince people to properly dispose of their waste, to recycle, and to reduce or eliminate their use of single use plastics the need for beach and marsh sweeps would be a thing of the past. A lofty thought I know, but we must be dilligent in our continued education of the public about their impact on the environment.
I hope this upcoming year sees even more participation in our Chapter activities, and I look forward to meeting more new people and to seeing you out on the beach.
Marty Morganello
Surfrider Charleston Chapter, Chair.
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