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Cleaning up Tyndall's coastlines

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "When one tugs at a single thing in Nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world," said John Muir, author and nature preservationist.

Team Tyndall will come together to participate in the 28th Annual International Coastal Cleanup from 8:00 a.m. to noon Sept. 21 at the NCO pavilion. The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron is sponsoring the event, which the base has been involved with for more than 10 years.

"It is very important to remove trash and pollution from these natural areas because it can harm the environment and wildlife," said Ms. Wendy Jones, 325th CES Natural Resources wildlife biologist. "We are grateful that Airmen are willing to volunteer and provide such great support for this project."

Volunteers will comb the beaches picking up trash and sea debris. Afterward a hotdog cook out sponsored by local charitable affiliates will take place at the pavilion for the participants.

"Since the cleanup is a family friendly event, I view the cleanup as a route to disseminate information on how to be good stewards to the earth," Ms. Diane Bateman, 325th CES Water Programs manager, said. "Start the children when they are young, and teach them to respect the earth."

In 2012, nearly 100 participants picked up more than 1,500 pounds of waste that washed onto Tyndall's beaches contributing to more than 10 million pounds of trash collected during the cleanup around the world.

"Come out and experience Tyndall's beaches," Ms. Bateman said. "Tyndall is home to numerous threatened and endangered species including nesting habitats to four species of sea turtles and many shorebirds. One can see dolphins playing in the water while pelicans skim above the water. The sands along the Florida panhandle are unique and some of the whitest beaches in the world. One has to experience something before they love it. Once they love it, they want to take care of it."
People who are interested in volunteering should be at the NCO pavilion 30 prior to the event. For questions or concerns contact Ms. Bateman at diane.bateman@us.af.mil

Click SHORE BIRDS and SEA TURTLES to learn more about Tyndall's endangered or threatened species and the work being done to preserve them.