SoWalSally
06-17-2006, 09:57 AM
To bring attention to the continuing destruction of the coast and coastal waters, the Surfrider Foundation Panhandle Chapter will hold a beach cleanup on June 17, at 9 a.m. at the pavilion west of the Crab Trap on U.S. Highway 98 in Destin. Participants will help clean up the heavily used beach access, said Nick Gullo, chairman of the Surfrider Panhandle Chapter. The newly formed Panhandle Chapter will also use the beach cleanup event to inform the community of the organization and enlist new members.
“We hope to get kids, parents and other beach lovers together to have a good time and raise awareness of our collective concern for the state of our beaches,” he said.
Gullo went to Blue Mountain Beach on June 12 to check out surfing conditions during Tropical Storm Alberto and was shocked to discover the amount of debris in the water from the construction of seawalls. During the construction phase, he had concerns about the seawalls and was dismayed to see discarded boards, many with nails in them, in the water and on the shoreline.
“This is our beach, it’s for our kids, and as a grassroots organization we want to ensure continued beach access and good beach and water quality,” Gullo said.
“Our goal is simple,” Gullo said, “the beach cleanup gives Surfrider Foundation members in the Panhandle, as well as the rest of the beach-going public, the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the beaches. The Panhandle beaches and waters represent not only a treasured natural resource for locals, but also the economic engine that drives the local economy.”
The Surfrider Foundation is an international non-profit organization with more than 50,000 members.
“We hope to get kids, parents and other beach lovers together to have a good time and raise awareness of our collective concern for the state of our beaches,” he said.
Gullo went to Blue Mountain Beach on June 12 to check out surfing conditions during Tropical Storm Alberto and was shocked to discover the amount of debris in the water from the construction of seawalls. During the construction phase, he had concerns about the seawalls and was dismayed to see discarded boards, many with nails in them, in the water and on the shoreline.
“This is our beach, it’s for our kids, and as a grassroots organization we want to ensure continued beach access and good beach and water quality,” Gullo said.
“Our goal is simple,” Gullo said, “the beach cleanup gives Surfrider Foundation members in the Panhandle, as well as the rest of the beach-going public, the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the beaches. The Panhandle beaches and waters represent not only a treasured natural resource for locals, but also the economic engine that drives the local economy.”
The Surfrider Foundation is an international non-profit organization with more than 50,000 members.