Clean Up Campaigns

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Designed and Maintained by Robbie Bethel of www.ilovehopetown.com and www.AbacoCottage.com

In addition to clean up projects throughout the year FRIENDS partners on two targeted clean up programs:

International Coastal Clean Up in September and the National Coastal Awareness Month in April.

International Coastal Clean Up

Each year FRIENDS and the Ministry of Tourism co-host Abaco’s International Costal Cleanup in September. Originally started in 1987, the concept of an International Coastal Clean up was to engage people to remove trash for the world's beaches and waterways and then identify the source of the debris and then initiate behavioral changes to decrease these types of pollution. It has been noted that most of the debris on the beaches comes from shoreline and recreational activities such as sports, picnics and beach going.

Marine debris is not only responsible for polluted beaches, but each years hundreds of animals are caught up in the trash causing lethal cuts, hampered mobility, suffocation and drowning. Over the last 30 years, the increase in plastic and other non-biodegradable products means that trash has no boundaries. These items are durable and buoyant and can travel hundreds of thousands of miles and have an endless life on our beaches and waterways unless they are removed and destroyed by man.

Anyone can participate: school groups, church groups, neighborhoods, businesses or a group of friends. Garbage bags, gloves and data cards (which will be compiled and send back to the International Coastal Cleanup organization) will all be provided.

If you would like to participate download the form and send it to Olivia Patterson at Friends of the Environment, Fax: 367-0722, email: Olivia@friendsoftheenvironment.org or Bernadette Hall at the Ministry of Tourism, Fax: 367-3068, email: bhall@bahamas.com.

Coastal Awareness Month

The Ministry of Tourism and Friends of the Environment are working together to combat threats to our coastal environment. As a part of this effort, each year we host Coastal Awareness Month in April. The focus of Coastal Awareness Month this year is the impact of humans on our coastal environment and the effects this has on tourism, and our country as a whole.

Coastal clean-ups will be arranged all month throughout The Bahamas. With all of our many coastlines, from beaches to tidal creeks and harbours, to make a real difference it is important that Abaco gets involved. The Ministry of Tourism and FRIENDS would like to invite you to take part in this effort. In addition to the traditional beach and mangrove clean-ups underwater clean-ups are also being organized.

The organizers are also making available a presentation about the importance of coastal areas and the impact they play on our lives to anyone who is interested in learning more. They are willing to come and provide the presentations on site, as requested. This will be especially valuable for schools.

The Abaco Tourist Office and Friends of the Environment want to take this opportunity to stress the importance of your participation in this campaign. Not only are clean coastal areas important for environmental reasons, but the trash in our community also impacts our very vital tourism industry. Trash has been climbing higher and higher as a complaint on the Ministry of Tourism’s exit surveys. Not only will we see direct benefits from this month’s activities, but it is also a great way to foster civic pride in young Bahamians.

If you would like to participate download the form and send it to Olivia Patterson at Friends of the Environment, Fax: 367-0722, email: Olivia@friendsoftheenvironment.org or Bernadette Hall at the Ministry of Tourism, Fax: 367-3068, email: bhall@bahamas.com.

We will supply you with trash bags and gloves for the clean up. At the bottom of the form please note the option to select for a Coastal Awareness presentation at your school.