Tyndall participates in Annual International Coastal Cleanup

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Tyndall gathered nearly 100 volunteers to participate in the Annual International Coastal Cleanup Sept. 15.

"This event is usually hosted the third weekend of every September," said Ms. Diane Bateman, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron water programs manager. "Tyndall has been participating for more than nine years."

The cleanup covers more than 18 miles of Tyndall coastline. A majority of the trash retrieved from the beach are plastics.

"We see a lot of food containers and soda and water bottles that have washed up on shore," Ms. Bateman said.

The Tyndall Dive Club even cleans underwater at the Beacon Beach marina.

"Our goal is to remove debris from the beach and water that could be ingested by fish, birds, marine mammals or turtles, or possibly entangle the animals," said Ms. Bateman. "Plus, it is esthetically pleasing to see a clean beach."

Tyndall is home to a very active sea turtle nesting beach and shore bird nesting habitat, as well as several plants and other animals.

"The primary vegetation, sea oats, is very important in establishing sand dunes that are really the first line of defense for the mainland during storms - the vegetation and dunes lessen the impact of storm surges and wind damage from storms," Ms. Bateman said. "There are also a variety of small mammals, birds and reptiles that live on the beach."

Volunteers showed up in small groups, singles and even families. The mental health clinic came in a pack of ten, ready to help.

"Members of my flight and I decided to volunteer in order to do something good for the base and also as a moral builder," said Airman 1st Class Kiara Valencia, 325th Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician. "The event helped make Tyndall's beach super clean, nice to visit and most importantly benefited the environment. By cleaning up the coastline, we are helping keep the wild life and the environment clean, healthy and able to thrive."

Major Mike McCourt, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander, attended with his wife and three kids.

"It was a great opportunity to clean up our environment," said Major McCourt. "It was also a great opportunity for my family to spend some time on the beach."

The cleanup began at 8 a.m. and ended around 11:30 a.m. The event was culminated with a complimentary cookout.