Las Olas Grande

Update from Lisa Rider taken from the eXXedition blog

Lisa’s hand illustrated birthday card by resident 
artist Stella Marina

"Last night after science we celebrated my birthday with an awesome Pad Thai dinner made by chef Stella and Barbara and I was surprised with a vegan cake with sprinkles and candles to the tune of the birthday song being sung by the crew. It was more than I could ever ask for on a special birthday at sea. I received a beautiful card with a hand drawn sailor chick at sea with a friendly manta ray near by coming up out of a wave to greet her. The card was made with love by our very talented eXXpedition resident artist, Stella Marina, which was signed by the crew and I will treasure this gift and the memory forever.

The crew also celebrated a day of science with no plastic! Our manta trawl micro-plastics sample yesterday collected no plastics visible in our on board microscope. The morning dolphins, being at sea, dinner, cake, card, and the gift of a day without ocean plastic was one very special birthday indeed.

Today, we are making good time still, which is exciting for me because I am super stoked for the trip up the river to Bartica, Guyana. I am not particularly excited about the potential mosquitos, but we have net for that and the sights and smells of the jungle will be a super rad change of scenery including different flora and fauna and potentially different things found within our sample collections and observation data.

Big swells coming through make everyday tasks like making coffee without burning yourself, brushing your teeth without bruising yourself in several different places, or even walking without bumping into any number of obstacles along the way, very difficult, exhausting, frustrating, and the bruising is just unavoidable.

Being on deck when swells come through is exciting and being at the helm even more so. It is like riding up and down mountains of water, like surfing without having to paddle out, sort of. The waves remind me of my sweet surfing social worker at home probably catching waves much north of here in the Atlantic. When we pass big container/cargo ships, we see huge wake swells that look like they would be fun to ride for a bunch of adrenaline junkies – I think I know a few at home that would partake if they had the chance. My uncle G would be all over it.

The key to the big wave party at sea is being on deck. On deck there is, sometimes, a breeze and you can see the waves coming in and the boat going up and over them. You can anticipate the movement and brace yourself, which doesn’t always mean that you don’t land on a hard surface, but at least it cuts the chance down a bit. At night and during science, we are tethered in by our life jackets for obvious reasons. As fast as we are moving, the height of the waves, and the current here are several factors that would make it hard to get back to a woman overboard. We did, however, practice a woman overboard drill a few days ago and I am confident that our crew would be able to recover someone if they needed to. I really don’t think that will be necessary given that the first rule of sailing is to stay on the boat.

Big waves and kitchen work is sketchy and today Katrina and I have cooking and cleaning duties throughout the day. At least the stove is on a gimble which makes the stove top rock front and back along with the motion of the boat. It helps to put on some music to go along with the rocking of the waves. Today, we have chosen a varied selection of strictly 90s music, which brings me back to the days when I was much more of a free spirit than I am now. Back then, I would probably be screaming “weeeee” at the motion of these waves and dying for a chance to be pulled behind the boat by wake board or skurfing board. This reminds me of a time that my husband and I were sailing his 23 footer along the ditch (Intracoastal Waterway) from Sneads Ferry to Beaufort and I had the crazy idea of getting pulled behind on a kayak while at sail. It was a very interesting experience to say the least. Probably not the smartest idea, but I survived with a fun story to internally giggle about when the memory pops in my head.

Waves and going to the head… Wow, what can I say about that?! I really thought I would have better sea legs by now since I have completely forgot what it is like to walk on a nonmoving surface. The head, which includes a shower and toilet in one is about the size of a telephone booth, but not as high. It sort of reminds me of the shower space in an apartment I had once in my early 20s. You basically straddle the 2 ft by 2 ft square of floor with legs to keep from bouncing off each wall while standing for a shower, brushing teeth, or washing hands. Yes, I still bump into the walls no matter what. If it wasn’t plastic and it wasn’t so hot, I might consider wrapping myself in bubble wrap. Maybe recycled tires since they seem to work so well for bumper cars. Bumper cars is exactly what it is like walking through the galley way. I am so glad the tropical sun has tanned my skin enough to help hide the bruises. Maybe these too, I should call beauty barnacles. The beauty barnacles of sailing. It makes me even more impressed by our three full-time sailing crew of women that live for this lifestyle and make it look so easy and graceful. It also makes me laugh at myself and recall my Dad joking about my lack of grace even after he paid for 5 years of ballet lessons in my youth.

At night the big mountains of waves are so incredible beautiful. Stars light up the night sky and the water turns an almost blackish blue. The waves that strike the boat occasionally blast a bioluminescent glow made by the creatures within it making helming that much more magical than I ever imagined. It reminds me of a random kayak tour we got talked into on a dive trip my gal pal, Krissi, and I took in Vieques, Puerto Rico this past year and gives me a smile from the memory of all the good one-liners made on that trip.

While we, eXXpedition, are riding the waves of the Atlantic ocean, I am also wishing my friends back at home good swell and surf weather and sending you all good vibes this holiday season. First in, last out – Surfs Up – Get your Glide on!" http://exxpedition.com/2015/12/14/las-olas-grande/

Con mucho amor,

Lisa Rider

Where in the world is Lisa Rider? Making the unseen marine debris seen

Lisa finding plastics hidden at local marina 9.15

As many of our readers might remember, Lisa Rider, President of Plastic Ocean Project 2016, is out on the Atlantic sample for Plastic Ocean Project with eXXedition. As promised, here is what she has to say thus far on her journey.

"Making the unseen seen as it relates to ocean pollution and coastal conservation is as big of a deal to me as the ocean is vast. It’s been a life mission of mine since as long as I can remember. I often explain it as simple pride. I am a proud eastern North Carolinian, but with that pride comes responsibility. Making the unseen seen to me means bridging the gap between our coastal environment health and the significant impact on our own health, the health of our economy, and other things that some people consider much more important than the community environment as a whole. I often wonder if the significance to this is the disconnection many people have from the ocean and the lack of knowledge of just how important our oceans and coastal community ecosystems are to our survival as humans. It is easy to feel disconnected when the problem is not slap-in-the-face visible as it is when you live on the coast and feel the impact on a daily basis, after all, we are visual creatures.

 Being from a coastal community, the ocean is always on my mind. She, the Atlantic for me, has made me who I am, has shaped my career focus, sustains me, keeps me sane, keeps me fit and healthy, and keeps me focused on the road ahead. As a child, I grew up on the Intracoastal Waterway and found myself knee deep in marsh mud on a regular basis as a very small child. The highlight of my summer was playing with periwinkles on marsh grass, canoe fishing with my Dad for Blues and Spots, and heading out to the Banks on the boat to watch the wild horses and here my Dad tell stories of the local maritime history. Clam digging with my neighbor friends was something I grew into around age 8 and scars from oyster shells are prized forever marks that I like to call beauty barnacles. At age 10, I took part in a beach cleanup project for Girl Scouts and found myself hooked on picking up debris. One of our local swim spots was a beach on Radio Island, i n between Beaufort and Morehead City, and it was constantly littered with bottles and glass at the time. Now that same area is littered with plastics and cigarette butts. Now, as a diver, I even find man made debris on the bottom there near the rock jetty.

I learned to sail around 11 years old on small handcrafted dingy boats build at the Maritime Museum in my hometown of Beaufort. It was an awesome experience of channelling the wind and the water and getting a true feeling for channeling mother nature’s gifts. Like this expedition, it wasn’t all rainbows and kittens. I recall my first attempt at sailing which included flipping my boat, getting the mast stuck in mud, and using my full body weight to flip her over by leaning on the daggerboard. I also remember threatening to wear a football helmet due to the boom smacks to the head, but that soon pasted with experience. These experiences toughen you up, my Dad would say – he was right. Around the same time, I started volunteering at the local wildlife rehabilitator, the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, in the spring each year for a few years. There I saw first hand the impacts of litter on our native wildlife. Sea birds came in tangled i n fishing line or worse and it inspired me to do more to protect what I had the privilege to grow up and know as home. The following year, I learned to surf in Atlantic Beach by local legend, Buddy Pellitier, and I started to experience, even more, the power of our coastal environment and just how humbling she, the ocean, can be.

In high school, I helped a friend who was a first mate on an offshore fishing charter boat out of Atlantic Beach and for the first time, I experienced being completely out of the site of land. It was also humbling, but magical and strangely liberating. It was incredible. I grew up on flat bottom skiffs in the bay, canoes, and small fishing boats, but I have never gone past the site of land with the exception of the ferry over to Ocracoke Island, and I found it very different. The experience really woke me up to how small I was. A drop in the bucket, I thought. Each day I was on the boat, I had a lot of time to reflect on the ride out and back. Some days a storm would pop up and things would get intense enough to remind me of how humbling she can be. I experienced this later in life as a diver heading out to a ledge or wreck with no land in site descending with blue skies and calm seas only to ascend 20 minutes later to dark clouds an d 6 foot swells. She has a sense of humor sometimes too.
Last night, on watch, Sarah, Emily, Stella, and I were chatting it up about how fair the weather had been and how we might need to make up some speed in order to continue to slow down for science during the mid day and also keep on schedule to get us to Guyana on time. Almost immediately after these words came out of our mouths, her swells picked up, a dark cloud creeped up on us, we picked up speed to 16 knts, and it started to rain. Did I mention her sense of humor?

A check of the radar confirmed that we were in the midst of a small storm and we closed the hatches (not a pleasant experience for those sleeping below – It Is Hot!). Perhaps it was Murphy’s Law due to our slip up of fair weather talk or a gift of good karma from her as a thanks for making the unseen seen, after all it was not a bad storm and it helped us pick up speed and make up some time.
Here we are, 14 women experiencing the ocean with no land in sight on a mission to make her seen with hopes that if everyone could experience her magic, her beauty, her power, her humor, her no-talk-and-all-action attitude, and most of all her significance to sustaining all life then perhaps they too would work so hard to protect her and make everyday decisions with her in mind, with us all in mind.

RV Sea Dragon helm - enjoy the ride Lisa

My personal connection to her is obvious. Born with salt water in my veins, growing up with marsh mud up to my knees, a scallop shell around my neck, surfboard under my arm, oyster knife in one hand, and a litter bucket in the other – its just life. The sweet salty air of home consumes me with the feeling of pride, but with that pride comes responsibility.

Now, back at the helm with “Clutch” blasting in the headphones, we, eXXpedition, are on our way in the middle of this big beautiful ocean with no land in site and on a mission to make the unseen seen. “A sailors life for me…”
Con mucho Amor,
Lisa Rider"
Taken from http://exxpedition.com/2015/12/10/amor-la-mar/

Out on the open ocean and into the local establishments

Plastic Ocean Project (POP) has been all over the place these last few weeks, but in a good way. Currently, POP's newly elected president, Lisa Rider, is sailing with eXXpedition  from across the mouth of the Amazon River from Brazil to Guyana. To learn more about Lisa read this article about her work and latest adventure. Just for a taste of the journey she is on, here is what Lisa had to say about getting to Brazil. 

Lisa Rider, front and center.

"I made it to Brazil about 30 hours after leaving NC and along the way I noticed several great recycling programs including twin bins and solar panels at the rest stop in NC off I40, recycle bins at RDU, EWR, SSA, and REC. United Airlines made an announcement on the flight about their recycling program, and when I got to Recife and ended up at a hotel (not my original destination) I found recycle bins in the room and I love that they use refillable shampoo dispensers! Way to go Best Western Recife!" Stay tuned to our blog to find out what she she finds in the open ocean.


As of this week, we have seven local establishments sign up for our Ocean Friendly Establishments initiative with Cape Fear Surfrider, UNCW POP, and Wrightsville Beach Keep it Clean.These establishments agree to only offer straws upon request thus reducing the production and disposal of single use plastics. Ginger Taylor came up with this idea several years ago and this year we hit the ground running. We now  have businesses asking us if they can be certified.

The way we can tell them thank you for stepping up to help is to patronize them. The list provides a spectrum of food from pizza to crepes to fish to Panamanian and everything in between. Check back for we have several more in the works!

Blockade Runner Beach Resort

275 Waynick Blvd,

Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

http://blockade-runner.com

This beautiful certificate is a Kim Beller design.

Ceviche's

7210 Wrightsville Ave

Wilmington, NC 28403

http://wbceviche.com

Catch

6623 Market St.

Wilmington, NC 28405

http://catchwilmington.com

Chop's Deli

7037 Wrightsville Ave

Wilmington, NC 28403

https://locu.com/places/chops-deli-wilmington-us/#menu

Blue Surf Cafe

250 Racine Dr

Wilmington, NC 28403

http://www.bluesurfcafe.com

Betsy's Crepes

127 N. Front St.

Wilmington, NC 28401

http://www.betsyscrepes.com

Fat Tony's

131 N Front St.

Wilmington, NC 28401 
https://www.fatpub.com

There is much debate about how our time is swept away because so many of us are glued to Facebook. But there are times when it can be so uplifting with the reality this technology can unite us globally on the things that really matter - clean air, land, water and the preservation of species. We have people reach out to us from around the world sharing thoughts and concerns, and it raises the hope meter. Ulea Wesemeyer Elsenlandschaften from Hanburg Germany wrote "(POP) connects us right away, I enjoy this very much. I think these days we have to think more than ever different. Many people are afraid what will more and more happen, they feel it close to their life and loved ones. There is so much information out there, enough energy of mankind. How do we get the slow, heavy heads rolling. Its changing, many hearts are putting their energy and heart in social and environment issues and build up for the good." She concluded by saying, "We gotta reach the masses. If there is a will there is a way." 

UNCW students at our viewing of
Racing Extinction, Wilmington, NC

Ulea, one of the ways to reach the masses is through documentaries, like Racing Extinction, that bring home the urgency into our living rooms. We need more storytelling that shares the beauty in the world in places most of us will never witness and open our eyes to the underground world that is robbing it from us. So I encourage as many people to have the courage to see the unseen in this film. It is the only way we ALL can know what actions we, as individuals, need to take to stop the ecocide.

A huge shout out to UNCW POP for our fundraiser they ran Tuesday night. We had a large turnout of people who purchased and fill their lockets with plastics from the ocean. We call them Portholes to the Sea - a conversation plastic pollution piece and it represents ones solidarity in the prevention of plastic marine debris. If you would like one too, visit our Etsy page here. While we worked we listened to a presentation by Jenn Salter, NC Coastal Federation, who shared how we as a community can petition our local leaders to put into place a better Special Use Permit that adopts the framework for industries to comply with and/or pass before bringing environmentally Unfriendly industries to our community. It allows the community to be a part of these decisions that may impact the community for centuries both for better or worse.

Presenter Jennifer Salter from NC Coastal Federation
talks to group while making lockets

UNCW POP Board, THANK YOU

Capitol Hill, Ocean Friendly Establishments, and Beach Cleanups.

Plastic Ocean Project goes to Capitol Hill!!  

On Wednesday, November 4th, Bonnie Monteleone, Executive Director of Plastic Ocean Project, visited Capitol Hill to speak in opposition to offshore drilling off our coast. She spoke about the importance of the Hatteras region where the majority of the sea turtle species, of which are endangered or critically endangered, frequently visit due to the Sargassum mats which form off our coast.   

She also talked about the fact that sargassum floats, and so does oil.  Sargassum, comes from the Sargasso Sea , and is an essential fish habitat important to many species because of its ability to provide shelter and foraging for hundreds of marine species, including baby sea turtles.  There are at least 81 species that rely on Sargassum as their only known habitat.  Sargassum is protected by law, and for that reason alone offshore drilling should not happen off the North Carolina coast. 

Please consider contacting the governor's office to express your opposition to offshore drilling off the North Carolina Coast.  Or, sign this petition.

After the screening of Mission Blue at UNCW , the UNCW POP volunteers were super excited and decided to start a Hope Spot in Cape Hatteras.  The student volunteers put a petition together to present to Sylvia Earle, of Mission Blue.

UNCW POP is the most active student club at UNCW!!  Congrats to all of you for making such a big difference in our community and our oceans!! 

Ginger Taylor, Tricia Monteleone and Bonnie Monteleone created this "trash turtle" using  trash collected by Ginger Taylor during her Monday morning walks looking for turtle tracks.  This sculpture serves to educate visitors touring the turtle hospital on the issues and problems with plastics in our oceans.  Bonnie and Ginger also put together an information board with facts about plastics.  This sculpture and information board is part of the tour at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital, and provides information to all of the visitors about the issues with plastic and marine debris litter.

LEA ISLAND/ HUTAFF

Lea Island is in desperate need of a cleanup! After a recent storm, a house was washed away and the debris and litter that was left behind is unbelievable.  Audubon and other volunteers are heading to the island this weekend to do a major cleanup.  The photos below are some taken from a recent trip to the island.  This island is home to many seabirds and other wildlife.  We will do all we can to protect the island and keep it clean.  Organizing a cleanup in your area is an awesome way to make a difference, bring people together, and educate on the issues with debris and plastics in our oceans.  Please send any photos and information from your cleanups to kim@bigstronggirldesigns.com and we will post it on our blog.  Thanks for all you do to help keep the oceans clean! 

"Individually, we are one drop, together, we are an ocean".

Ryunosuke Satoro 

Ocean Friendly Establishments

UNCW POP members and other volunteers have been busy contacting area restaurants to sign up for the "Ocean Friendly Establishment" initiative.  The only thing a restaurant has to do is make the pledge to only give straws upon request to their patrons.  It's such an easy way to make a big difference! Thanks to all who have signed on so far.  Anyone interested in joining this initiative and new trend, please contact Kim Beller for more information. kim@bigstronggirldesigns.com

We are proud to announce the latest restaurants to come on board!  More to come!!!

Catch Restaurant, Wilmington, NC

Ceviche's, Wilmington, NC

Chops Deli, Wilmington, NC

Blockade Runner East Oceanfront Dining, Wrightsville Beach, NC
Blue Surf Cafe, Wilmington, NC
Betsy's Crepes, Wilmington, NC

Thanks you to all of you for making a difference in the use of single use plastics!

upcoming adventures at sea... success stories...and tips on reducing your plastic footprint

~ADVENTURES AT SEA~

Ocean activist/ eco warrior, Lisa Rider will soon be on her big adventure with   www.exxpedition.com.  As she travels the ocean blue, diving, exploring and collecting data, she will be staying in touch with us here at Plastic Ocean Project so that we can share her adventures, stories and findings with you.  Visit her blog to read her story and to see what she is packing for her trip, and what she has planned.  

Bonnie Monteleone , founder of Plastic Ocean Project, is getting ready for another big adventure as well.  On December 28th, she and the team of "Swim the Big Blue",  leave from Natal, Africa, and will be at sea for 100 days with Ben Hooper , as he swims the "big blue" from Africa to Brazil.  Ben's goal is to swim 1764 miles. He will be the first person to achieve this major accomplishment.  Bonnie will be collecting samples as they sail.  We will be in touch with Bonnie to keep up with his progress, her samples and findings,  and to hear all about the adventures they will encounter.  Stay tuned!

~REACHING OUT MAKES A DIFFERENCE~

Recently, I saw my friend, Teresa's post on Facebook, sharing her beautiful handmade soaps and information about her soap making class.  The soap looked like something I would definitely want to try, but it was wrapped in plastic.  Reaching out to her was easy.  I sent her a private message on Facebook asking her to consider using a more eco-friendly wrap and she was happy to make the switch.  In fact, she made the switch within minutes and sent me a photo showing off her new packaging.  This is how the universe works!!  All we have to do is ask.  If you know of a business you would like to support, but wish they would be more conscientious of their use of plastic, then just put it out there to them and they will likely be happy to make the change.  Little success stories add up and become very important in our endeavor to make the ocean cleaner and greener.  

~UNCW POP BEACH CLEANUP~

Plastic straws still remain one of the top items found at the cleanups.  The group has found almost 300 straws in the past couple of months at Wrightsville Beach.  Unfortunately, straws, (as all plastics do), pose a huge problem for marine life, not to mention the toxicity from the plastics leaching into our oceans.  UNCW POP volunteers and other volunteers are reaching out to area restaurants regarding the "OCEAN FRIENDLY ESTABLISHMENT" initiative.  Anyone interested in becoming an "OCEAN FRIENDLY ESTABLISHMENT" can contact Kim Beller (kim@bigstronggirldesigns.com) to receive information and to sign up.  All we ask is that the establishment only gives straws upon request.  

UNCW POP has been busy doing beach cleanups and organizing events to raise awareness in the community.  Recently, guest speaker Dr. Bill McLellan spoke to the group about cetaceans and marine debris.  The number of whales, dolphins and other marine life affected by plastics and fishing gear is outrageous.  The plastic epidemic is huge and it is killing our beloved sea creatures at an alarming rate.  Saying no to single use plastics and keeping the ocean clean of fishing gear, plastics,  and other litter is essential to helping our marine mammals.  Dr. McLellan is doing important work to save whales and dolphins, as well as documenting all of the obstacles they face.  It was an honor to have Dr. McLellan as a guest speaker at UNCW. 

Beneath the Waves is a photo gallery of photos from diver's committed to cleaning up the ocean of marine debris.  Not only do we need to clean up the surface of the ocean, but beneath the waves, in the depths of the ocean lies a devastating problem for marine life.  Please e-mail any photos (with photo creds), if you want us to share what you are finding during your cleanups, (on the beach or beneath the waves).  

kim@bigstronggirldesigns.com

"Individually, we are one drop.  TOGETHER, we are an ocean."

Ryunosuke Satoro

 Tuesday, November 10th there will be a showing of the movie MISSION BLUE at 6:30 in Dobo 134 at UNCW.  Everyone is welcome!!

~UNCW POP in the COMMUNITY~

making a difference through community outreach.....

Perfect timing for halloween, Sam Athey, Lara Noran, and Danielle Gutierrez visited Mrs. Casteen's second grade class at Ogden Elementary School to speak to students about plastics in our oceans.  After reading the book "All the way to the Ocean", by Joel Harper, the students were given re-usable bags for trick-or-treating on Halloween!  The story lead them to a group discussion and guessing how long it takes various plastic items to break down, and reach the ocean.  UNCW POP is available for presentations and outreach.  Please contact us if you are interested in more information and scheduling an event for your school or group.

(kim@bigstronggirldesigns.com)

Would you like to reduce your plastic footprint?  Every little thing makes a difference...

just a few tips to start!.......

*say not to single use plastics!!  (water bottles, straws, grocery bags, food wrapped in plastic)

* do a beach cleanup, a park cleanup, or an anywhere you are cleanup!!  (always leave it cleaner than you found it:)

*buy in the bulk section using your own re-usable jars

*say no thank you to straws when you dine out

The war on PLASTIC... we're all in this together

THE WAR ON PLASTIC

Lots of people gathered at Wrightsville Beach on Saturday, October 10 to pick up trash and debris for 

New Hanover County's, Keep America Beautiful Beach Sweep.  Coordinated by the Caper Fear River Watch, this event was a huge success.   In spite of the forecast calling for rain all day, people showed up ready to make a difference by collecting all kinds of trash from our beautiful beach.  Surfrider Cape Fear Chapter and Wrightsville Beach Keep it Clean volunteers were there to greet and sign people in.  

David Cignotti and Ginger Taylor, (Wrightsville Beach Keep it Clean)

welcoming volunteers to the cleanup site.

Wrightsville Beach is a smoke-free beach, however, over 1000 cigarette butts were collected during the cleanup.  Unfortunately, cigarette butts do not go away, therefore posing danger to all kinds of marine life and the quality of the sand and water.

315 cigarette butts collected in under 1 hour.

 Bonnie Monteleone and volunteers, discussing "bio-discs".  This family found a huge amount of the tiny discs last fall on South Channel Drive.  During the cleanup several discs were found on the ocean side as well.

This is what 433 bottle caps looks like.  Over 600 plastic bottle caps were found during the cleanup.  These bottle caps would have eventually ended up in the ocean, adding to the ever growing problem in the 5 gyres and ocean debris.  Using re-usable water bottles and refusing to buy single use plastic bottles could eliminate this kind of litter.  Ocean Conservancy, in partnership with the McKinsey Center for Business and Environment has come out with a new report stating that the ocean could contain one ton of plastic for every three tons of fin fish by 2025.  These numbers are frightening.  It is more important than ever to clean up our ocean and to take a stand agains single use plastics.  Because plastics do not bio degrade, once they get in the ocean the process of photo degradation happens and they break down into tiny pieces called micro-plastics.  These plastics are being ingested by all kinds of marine life and  fish, including those at the bottom of the food chain.  What can you do to help?  Say no to single use plastic, co-ordinate clean ups in your area, and spread the word! 

 Sam, with UNCW POP (Plastic Ocean Project), found 56 straws between access 15-29.  It is estimated that over 500 million straws are used per day.  (PER DAY)!  That's enough straws to fill over 46,400 large school buses per year.  Where are these straws going?  They likely will end up on the beach and in the ocean, if not in the landfill.  This is a problem that we can fix.  Consider saying NO to straws.  When dining in restaurants, tell your server you do not need a straw, or consider taking your own glass straw to your favorite eatery.  With the plastics in the oceans reaching extreme levels, it is more important than ever to make changes to reduce our plastic footprint. 

 60 straws found by Sam at access 29-33.

  

~MAKING A DIFFERENCE~

STRAW INITIATIVE:

Plastic Ocean Project has teamed up with Surfrider, Cape Fear Chapter and Wrightsville Beach Keep it Clean to launch a straw initiative for area restaurants.  It's a simple concept, but one that can make a huge difference.  Restaurants who participate in this program will only give straws upon request.  Local artist and Plastic Ocean Project Ambassador, Kim Beller designed a certificate which will be given to all restaurants to proudly display when signing up for this initiative, recognizing them as an "Ocean Friendly Establishment".  Please contact Kim Beller if you wish to participate or learn more, and someone will be in touch with you very soon.  Regardless of where you are located you can participate in this program.  We have people from Oregon and California reaching out to us to see how they can help out!  Outreach and education is available to anyone who participates. 

email kim@bigstronggirldesigns.com

We would like to thank Blockade Runner East Ocean Front Dining for being the first to participate in this awesome program!