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June 30, 2008

Dear Volunteer,

Join hundreds of thousands of volunteers for Ocean Conservancy’s 23rd International Coastal Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at a waterway near you. The cleanup is a celebration of a year-long effort to prevent trash from dirtying marine environments and killing marine life.

The cleanup is more than a one-day event -- it’s a global movement that starts in our own backyards. For more information on how you can dive in as a volunteer and start a sea change, please visit our web site at http://www.coastalcleanup.org/.

Coastal Cleanup Coordinator:  Eben Schwartz, California
Each year, volunteers in California pick up almost one million pounds of trash during the ICC. Eben Schwartz, our California Coordinator, leads that monumental effort.

"We want the Cleanup to become the one volunteer activity each year that every Californian has a chance to participate in," he says.  Eben plans to draw a big crowd this year.

Enjoy summer boating while taking care to keep the water clean
The beginning of summer means prime boating season across the U.S. Check out Ocean Conservancy’s Good Mate program for more information and a free DVD on actions you can take to help keep our waterways clean and healthy for boating.

And here are five easy ways to minimize any potential harmful impacts of recreational boating on the environment:

• Use caution when adding fuel to avoid spills and drips. Fill fuel tanks to 90 percent capacity for better fuel efficiency, as well!
• Check the bilge frequently for leaks and use oil absorbent pads to catch any oil before it gets into the water.
• Be aware of the limits of your sewage holding tank, and seek out “microbial” cleaners instead of harmful disinfectants for your toilets.
• Ask your marina to stock environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Look for the words “phosphate-free” and “biodegradable,” or use alternative cleaners (vinegar, baking soda, bleach, etc.)
• Secure your trash! Avoid bringing items with excess packaging on board and dispose of all trash properly.

Ocean Conservancy President Testified before Congress
A key House committee on global warming recently invited Ocean Conservancy President and CEO Vikki Spruill to provide expert testimony about the critical impacts of climate change on the ocean. Ms. Spruill spoke about these impacts and outlined some solutions in her testimony to Congress.

Ocean Conservancy Contributes to Capital Hill Ocean Week
Capitol Hill Ocean Week, an annual symposium including scientists, conservationist, industry experts, and policy members, is a unique opportunity to educate lawmakers about critical ocean issues. At the symposium in June, two senior Ocean Conservancy staff members addressed some of the biggest problems affecting the ocean.

Please Support Ocean Conservancy through Stonyfield Farm’s “Bid With Your Lid” Program
Each year, Stonyfield Farm works to build awareness of environmental issues through their “Bid With Your Lid” Program.

This summer, Ocean Conservancy is one of three non-profits featured; the program will give us $20,000 to support our work, and an additional donation based on the number of consumers who vote online or by sending in specially marked Stonyfield Farm yogurt lids.

So please help support our work by casting your online vote for Ocean Conservancy today or by collecting lids and mailing them to Stonyfield Farm. And help us spread the word!

NOAA's Marine Debris Forum 2008 
In April, Ocean Conservancy staff members Sonya Besteiro, ICC Manager, and Jessica Koelsch, Florida Marine Wildlife Project Manager, spoke at NOAA’s Marine Debris Forum 2008. Sonya focused on education and outreach through the International Coastal Cleanup, while Jessica described the tremendous results of crab trap and monofilament removal projects in Florida.

Held in partnership with NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the meeting provided an opportunity for researchers to present their studies and share information about shoreline and submerged debris mapping products, debris assessments, prevention campaigns, and successful removal.

Sincerely,

Sonya Besteiro
International Coastal Cleanup Manager
Ocean Conservancy

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