Garbage is filling up our oceans. What can we do?
There is an area in the North Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii that is accumulating garbage at an alarming rate. This gyre area is commonly known as the Great Garbage Patch or the North Pacific Gyre and it is the result of our "disposable lifestyle." Our "out of sight, out of mind" attitude towards garbage is threatening the future of our oceans.
Read our Marine Debris Fact Sheet to find out more about marine debris or for more information about the Pacific Gyre and the impacts of plastics on our oceans visit the Algalita Marine Research Foundation's website.
SOS's Marine Debris Program educates our community about the impacts of garbage in our oceans. It focuses on providing individuals with knowledge of the problem and encourages behavioral changes that will lead to less garbage entering our oceans. SOS does this through a variety of hands on activities and educational iniatives.
Beach Cleanups- These fun activities are open to the entire community and provide volunteers with a positive expierence of having a direct impact on the health of coastal ecosystems. Read more.
Annual Coastal Cleanup Day- This one day, yearly cleanup happens all across the world. It activates the global community to be aware of the global nature of the marine debris issue and highlights the strength of global response to this issue. Annual Coastal Cleanup Day 2008 will be held on Saturday, September 20th from 9 am to Noon at 39 locations in Santa Cruz County. Read more.
Educational Presentations- Interactive presentations describing the marine debris problem and presenting tangable solutions are available to schools, businesses and commuinty groups. Some of the presentations are classroom based while others happen in the field. Read more.
Watershed Cleanup Initiatives- Watershed Cleanup Initiatives educate residents about their local watershed and engage them to become active stewards of their watershed. Watershed Cleanups include river and stream debris removal activities, and SCUBA and kayak cleanups. Read more.
Read our Marine Debris Fact Sheet to find out more about marine debris or for more information about the Pacific Gyre and the impacts of plastics on our oceans visit the Algalita Marine Research Foundation's website.
SOS's Marine Debris Program educates our community about the impacts of garbage in our oceans. It focuses on providing individuals with knowledge of the problem and encourages behavioral changes that will lead to less garbage entering our oceans. SOS does this through a variety of hands on activities and educational iniatives.
Beach Cleanups- These fun activities are open to the entire community and provide volunteers with a positive expierence of having a direct impact on the health of coastal ecosystems. Read more.
Annual Coastal Cleanup Day- This one day, yearly cleanup happens all across the world. It activates the global community to be aware of the global nature of the marine debris issue and highlights the strength of global response to this issue. Annual Coastal Cleanup Day 2008 will be held on Saturday, September 20th from 9 am to Noon at 39 locations in Santa Cruz County. Read more.
Educational Presentations- Interactive presentations describing the marine debris problem and presenting tangable solutions are available to schools, businesses and commuinty groups. Some of the presentations are classroom based while others happen in the field. Read more.
Watershed Cleanup Initiatives- Watershed Cleanup Initiatives educate residents about their local watershed and engage them to become active stewards of their watershed. Watershed Cleanups include river and stream debris removal activities, and SCUBA and kayak cleanups. Read more.
Storm Drain Stenciling Projects- Storm Drain Stenciling is an exiciting way for individuals to educate our community about the ways that watersheds connect our neighborhoods to the ocean. This is legal spray painting at it's best! Read more.
Marine Debris is one of the fastest growing threats to our oceans! Educate yourself today about this issue and how you can become an ocean steward by reducing your contributions to ocean bound debris.
Education:
Citizen Action:
