Keep the beaches clean

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The summer months are a great opportunity to enjoy the many beaches in the area. However, it is important that beachgoers do their share to preserve the beaches, waterways and wildlife.

"It is very important to remove trash and pollution from these natural areas, because it can harm the environment and wildlife," said Wendy Jones, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources wildlife biologist.

Often marine debris will wash ashore or beachgoers will leave trash behind, which can be hazardous to marine life and shore birds.

"I was on the beach at Crooked Island East the other day and picked up two big handfuls of monofilament line that had been discarded on the beach," said Diane Bateman, 325th CES water programs manager. "Birds and other wildlife get tangled in the line and die."

Bateman always brings trash bags to the beach to pick up debris and trash while she's out there. She encourages beachgoers to do the same.

"Tyndall is home to numerous threatened and endangered species including nesting habitats to four species of sea turtles and many shorebirds," explained Bateman." "The sands along the Florida panhandle are unique and some of the whitest beaches in the world. We need to take care of it."

Every fall, Team Tyndall participates in the annual International Coastal Cleanup, but in the meantime patrons should still do their share to preserve the beaches and local wildlife.

Click shorebirds and sea turtles to learn more about Tyndall's endangered or threatened species and the work being done to preserve them.