Written by Captain G
Trash is a dirty word, and there is a lot of it. Have you ever been out in the middle of nowhere, thinking that you must be the first person to step foot in that spot, absorbing the breathtaking view and then looking down to see an empty Red Bull can, a cigarette butt, or an old bald tire?
When was the last time you volunteered? That’s not a question meant to be mean but more of a question to start a conversation about Clean Water. If you add Clean Water plus Volunteering plus Exercise, divide by the number of Friends, and carry the two… well, you get where this is going, right?
As a sea captain, I see many things floating around on the ocean surface. The three things I see the most frequently are birthday balloons, Gatorade-type plastic bottles (not really water bottles as much lately), and jet skis. Just kidding about the jet skis; I knew my friend Omar would get a kick out of that jab. But the third object would be plastic shopping bags. All of those things float around longer than folks may think.
Smart people do “smart” things. The same formula applies to trashy people: they do “trashy” things. Not all flotsam and jetsam come from the folks having a good time along the beach. Many floating debris come from miles away, upstream from the rivers, creeks, and lakes we enjoy. Sadly, a good rain will introduce a wave of fresh junk each time.
5 Things: Volunteering
Here are a few organizations we feel do good in areas we play and work in.
–St. Johns Riverkeeper in Jacksonville, Florida, is a non-profit organization and a voice, advocate, and watchdog for the St. Johns River, which flows for 310 miles in Florida. Fun Fact: The St Johns River flows North.
–Miami Waterkeeper is based in Miami. They are a non-profit organization that advocates for South Florida’s watershed and wildlife.
–Clean Miami Beach is dedicated to keeping the community and natural habitats free of garbage and harmful pollutants with a focus on single-use plastics.
–Bayou City Waterkeeper is a Houston, Texas-based organization focusing on water quality, wetlands protection, and flood mitigation.
–Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne is part of the Florida State Parks. Minutes from downtown Miami, this park hosts weekend cleanups. The park has gorgeous views of nature and even a lighthouse with tours.
Honorable mention- If being out in the sun isn’t your thing, or you prefer to volunteer in a different way, consider a floating hospital.
They send hospital ships filled with volunteer professionals who selfishly provide life-changing surgeries each year. Where do they sail to? Here’s the link.
Aquatramp 