Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
World Ocean Day is on Saturday, June 8. Keep Liberty Beautiful is celebrating World Ocean Day on Thursday, June 6 at the KLB Office at the Liberty County Community Complex.
World Ocean Day was proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit. They wanted to bring awareness to the plastic that people casually release every day and end up swimming with the fish, literally. We now celebrate World Ocean Day to help remind us to be mindful of our trash and take extra precautions to dispose of litter properly. The ocean has a significant role in our everyday life; some may say it’s the lungs of our planet. Beaches from coast to coast provide us with most of our oxygen.
Take a moment to step outside and experience the ocean, appreciating the beauty it brings to our land and the sense of wealth it provides. For many of us, the waterways hold cherished memories with our families. Today, make a personal commitment to protect our oceans, moving forward with a conscious effort.
If you wonder how you can celebrate the ocean, author Brian Hutchinson, Oceanic Society’s vice president of outreach, co-founder of the State of the World’s Sea Turtles Program, and program officer of the IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, said it best. He wrote a recent article listing these five ideas to help show your appreciation on World’s Ocean Day:
1. World Oceans Day Activity or Event: World Oceans Day may be over, but there are still hundreds of events going on. You can schedule a beach cleanup (KLB St. Catherine’s Island cleanup is on September 7) or go to your nearby fishing hole and clean up there.
2. Skip the Seafood (and Meat): Avoid seafood by giving the ocean a break today. While there are many well-managed and sustainable fisheries (that can support healthy oceans), try going vegetarian for one day.
3. Gather Friends and Watch an Ocean Film: Staying informed about ocean conservation issues and sharing knowledge with your friends and family is an integral part of becoming a better supporter of ocean conservation. One easy way to learn and share information is by watching one of the many excellent documentaries showcasing ocean wildlife and conservation issues. These include Mission Blue, The Blue Planet, Sharkwater, The Cove, Disney Nature: Oceans, A Plastic Ocean, and many more.
4. Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide. You can help reduce ocean plastic pollution in many ways, but one of the easiest is to avoid single-use plastic. Help support cleaner oceans by avoiding single- use plastic items, including disposable water bottles, straws, cups, lids, utensils, and bags.
5. Breathe Deep, Appreciate the Ocean: Take time today to appreciate your connection to the ocean and consider the many benefits of a healthy ocean. One of our most profound links to the ocean is through the air we breathe — more than half of the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere is produced by marine plants. So, breathe deep, reflect on your connection to the ocean, and stay inspired to continue working for healthier oceans.
Keep Liberty Beautiful World Ocean Day celebration will be a round-robin event day near our Butterfly Garden. All are welcome from all over Liberty County to come enjoy different water-based activities and learn more about our waterways. We will also be geared up in gloves, little reachers, and Keep Liberty Beautiful volunteer shirts and visit fishing docks/waterways in Liberty County throughout the week. KLB staff and summer interns will visit places in Hinesville, Midway, Riceboro, and Sunbury (Jones Creek Recreation Area, Riceboro Boat Ramp, Riceboro Pavilion, Half Moon Marina Area, Bryant Commons, and Sunbury Boat Ramp). We will provide litter prevention information, after-the-storm brochures, and a how-to-be-a-goodmate brochure to all the community members enjoying the day.
To find out how you can help keep our waterways clean and litter-free, visit our website: www. keeplibertybeautiful.org. You can also contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888 or klcb@libertycountyga.com.