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4th annual beach clean-up

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Society of American Military Engineers and the Florida Engineering Society are teaming up with the 325th Civil Engineering Squadron environmental flight to celebrate the 25th International Coastal Cleanup at Tyndall Sept. 25 from 8 to 11 a.m.

The team hopes to recruit between 75 and 100 volunteers in order to complete the task within the slotted three-hour window.

"Collecting debris along several miles of beachfront is a difficult task for a small number of people," said Mr. Dick Woodworth, Society of American Military Engineers, Panama City Post, programs chairman. "Having a large group of eager volunteers makes the task easier for everyone. Also, walking on the beach and collecting debris is a good way to get some exercise while supporting a good cause."

Children are encouraged to join in the effort. Underage children must have a parent or guardian to accompany them.

"Supporting the beach clean-up activity is a great family project," said Mr. Woodworth. "As parents, we should always be looking for opportunities to demonstrate to our children the importance of environmental stewardship. Bring the children along and have them participate. They will benefit greatly from the experience. Also, some school groups require students to donate time for community support projects. If students participate in the Tyndall beach clean-up, the clean-up managers will provide a certification of each student's participation."

During the last several clean-ups there have been several interesting finds.

"In past years we have collected the normal items such as plastic and aluminum bottles and cans, plastic trash bags, paper, coils of boat mooring rope and cardboard," said Mr. Woodworth. "We have also removed some unusual items such as pieces of surf boards and a mini refrigerator door."

The trash is not only an eye sore, but it also has an impact on the environment.

"After volunteering to assist the 325th CES in their beach clean-up effort for the past four years, I have seen first-hand the debris that collects on the beach," said Mr. Woodworth. "Although it is not immediately noticeable when looking along the beach from a distance, we have collected several tons of debris after carefully searching. This debris is deteriorating, impacting water quality and may be ingested by wildlife. Maintaining a clean beach is important to those that use it for recreation and pleasure and for the marine life that lives there."

The Dive Club is also scheduled, at a later date, to dive in the Beacon Beach Marina to add to the clean-up efforts.

With combined efforts of all the volunteers, the beach will be cleaner and safer, but it also has a third benefit.

"Data cards are used to categorize the types of debris collected off the shores," said Mrs. Diane Bateman, 325th CES water programs manager. "Through the years the information gathered from the cleanups has been used to justify enacting laws to prevent ocean dumping, such as the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988."

Team Tyndall members who are interested in volunteering, contact Mr. Woodworth at (850) 283-6491 or Ms. Kim Albro at (850) 283-6124. For non-Team Tyndall members interested in volunteering, e-mail Mrs. Bateman at diane.bateman@tyndall.af.mil to be added to the entry authorization letter, allowing access to Tyndall for the day. All volunteers are invited to enjoy a free barbecue directly following the clean-up.

"This event offers a great time for individuals and families to have fun while exploring Tyndall's pristine beaches and helping to maintain a piece of the 'world's most beautiful beaches'," said Mr. Woodworth.