Ocean Springs Middle School Takes Action and Tackles Debris on Deer Island

Ocean Springs Middle School came out on November 7th, 2012 to take marine debris head on!  We set out on the Sea Explorer to clean up site #1 on the North side of  Deer Island and man did we find a lot.

The debris was trying to hide in the grasses planted on the island... we found those sneaky pieces of trash.  They went through all the vegetation in the half mile segment and collected a lot of curious things such as, large fragments of a foam-core sign, coat hangers, door knobs from boats and a 55 gallon drum!

The most interesting pieces of debris collected are pictured below.  We were all on our hands and knees, digging up a Coke factory plastic pallet, pair that with other Coca-Cola beverage containers and the students from Ocean Springs Middle School and you get a great photo opportunity!  This is a clear message that we are responsible for the proper disposal of what we consume, plastic bottles and styrofoam cups are two of the most commonly collected pieces of debris on Deer Island.

The students were very diligent and put forth a strong effort collecting everything from the plastic pallet pictured above to large pieces of treated wood covered in fabric!  They got really excited when they spotted  a 55 gallon drum further down the shoreline, so the boys ran down to collect it, eager to remove something so large and surprisingly entertaining =)

Let the games begin...

Let the games continue...

We all took turns moving the larger pieces of debris down the island towards the boat, the guys pictured below decided to carry this piece of treated wood a little differently.  Who knew debris removal could be this much fun?!  (I did!)

Congratulations to you all, we collected a total of 533.04 lbs of debris along a half-mile segment!  I really appreciate all your hard work, we filled the wheel barrow until it was over-flowing!  I enjoyed working with you all and I hope that you continue to educate others about the marine debris problem and what we can do to help =)

Good attitudes, hard work and no fear of getting your hands dirty made you all a great group to work with!

Keep it clean to keep it green =)

Crossing State Lines to Collect Debris

All the way from Batchelov, LA the participants from Upper Pointe Coupee Elementary came to do their part for the Mississippi Gulf Coast on October 26th, 2012.  We started bright and early, headed out to Deer Island and started to comb the beach along site # 3 on the South side.

For many of the students, it was their first time on a boat and I was happy to be there for that first trip =)  The students began their trip, all smiles and ready to go get that debris!

All of the participants took the marine debris problem to heart and stooped to pick up every cigarette butt they could find... there were so many, that it took us hours to get them all!

After a long day of picking up debris, we decided to stop and take our picture next to the sail boat on Deer Island that was pushed up and left there by Hurricane Isaac this Fall.  These students were all excited about this project and were taking in every bit of information and physical experience of being on Deer Island!

We collected a total of 167.45 lbs, congratulations Upper Pointe Coupee Elementary... now that's something worth celebrating!

Thank you all again very much for your hard work and dedication in a project that has become a passion for me.  I'm so glad that you all are taking action and educating others in your community about the marine debris issue!  The teachers and students of Upper Pointe Coupee Elementary are currently working with the local sheriffs department to create a recycling education program in their area =)  Keep up the good work!  Your efforts are greatly appreciated and will not go unnoticed!

D'Iberville Middle School Demolishes Debris on Deer Island

D'Iberville Middle School came out on October 19th, 2012 to do their part for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  We cleaned up site #2 on the North side of Deer Island, where the class hopped to it and wasted no time before sweeping the island for debris!

This group was very hard working and really took the marine debris problem to heart, picking up even the smallest pieces of trash from the wrack line!  The group is pictured below, hard at work and ready to take a fine tooth comb to the shoreline.

We found a lot of mystery metal pieces with oysters growing on them, each piece weighed ~ 5-10 lbs!  A growing issue within the marine debris problem is the transportation of invasive fouling species on pieces of debris from one place to another.  Scientists have nicknames these fouling species "hitch-hikers."

Along with debris, the students found many different types of shells and bones from local species.  There's nothing better than seeing the curiosity in a student when they pick up bones on the beach and ask where it came from, how it died and why it's important =)  This group was particularly inquisitive, I see many scientists in the making!

Some unusual objects that we found include a deeply buried steel rope from a large ship, a couple pairs of shoes and diapers.  The young lady pictured below, tried to dig out the large rope with her own two hands, now that's dedication =) 

I want to thank the D'Iberville Middle School class for participating in the Mississippi Marine Debris Removal & Prevention Project and for doing such a great job!  We collected a total of 348.04 lbs that day!  I hope that you all take the enthusiasm and passion you had during this project and pass it on to others in your community.  Coastal stewardship can be contagious, so spread the word!

Thanks again guys, you are a great group of kids and I had a great time on our trip =)