The GSTC Marine Debris Citizen Science program was created in 2012 and is funded by the Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative which is part of the NOAA Marine Debris program. Marine Debris Citizen Science participants keep Jekyll Island’s beaches free of marine debris. They help protect sea turtle and shorebird nesting habitats by collecting and bagging debris along stretches of beach. They also record where, when, what and how much debris is picked up using the Marine Debris Tracker application. While on the beach, Marine Debris Citizen Science participants will also have an opportunity to interpret and educate visitors to the coastal area about sea turtle biology and beach ecology.

Marine debris is any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or Great Lakes.  Marine debris tends to accumulate on coastlines and in the center of gyres, making its impacts widespread and unpredictable. Marine debris comes from both land and oceanic sources.  Debris left on beaches and blown from landfills can easily end up in the ocean as tides come and go.  Rivers, streams and storm drains can carry litter over large distances to the ocean as well.  The mobility of marine and land debris has created a global problem that has local solutions.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

There are many ways you can help!

Reduce your plastic use.

Recycle as much as you can.

Join the GSTC Citizen Science project!

Attend a volunteer orientation and become a Marine Debris Citizen Science volunteer! Learn more about that position here.

 

Live far away abut still want to help? You still can!

Download the Marine Debris Tracker app

Use the username: GSTC Citizen Science and the Password: scute

Clean up your streams, rivers, and yards and make a difference in the fight against Marine Debris!

Email gstcvolunteer@jekyllisland.com with the details of your project! (Date, location, length, sponsoring group (or person) and number of participants!)

Have a group looking for a service project?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please contact us at gstcvolunteer@jekyllisland.com and we can set something up specific for your  group.

Visit the Kids Page to find games and activities about Marine Debris!

 

 Check out the rest of the Marine Debris section by following the links below to learn more about Marine Debris and GSTC patients that were affected by it!