Beach Clean-Up Proposal

Spic an span, dats the plan, nice an clean, a dat wi mean! Tishana Williams-Davis (Mrs.) Coordinator 414-3230 coorevillerangers@gmail.com

Cooreville Gardens Environmental and Social Community Development Club is a network of kids, parents and our community, which care about international social change, starting in Jamaica wishes to embark on a beach clean up. The CG E-Club, with campaign partners National Housing Trust, Jamaica Environmental Trust and the United Nations is engaging in the first in a series of beach cleanups throughout Jamaica Coastal Lines. CG E-Club will join host of other similar clubs Saturday, September 25th from 9:00am-4:00pm at PALISADOES AIR STRIP, St. Andrew and do our part to help keep our beaches clean. Rosemarie Barton, of NHT, defines the beach clean up as "A series of eco-friendly initiatives whose goal it is to raise awareness and support for the environment. The initiatives are focused on the four elements air, earth, fire and water.' How will the clean ups across Jamaica specifically helps water quality? Our efforts to clean up Jamaica's waterways reflect the inter-relationship of the oceans and inland waterways. Tracing marine debris to its sources has shown us that 60% to 80% of the debris we find on our beaches actually originates further upstreamin rivers and streams. The effects of marine debris are some of the most devastating on our planet in terms of habitats and biological resources. There are economic stakes tootourism and recreational spending are important to Jamaica. Litterfree environments are appreciated by all citizens and visitors. This project educates E-Club Rangers about the harm litter, and lack of recycling, can cause. From 1988 through 2009, project such as this has removed more than 2 million pounds of debris from the Caribbean's waterways, and has involved 49,000+ volunteers. What are some of the common pollutants or sources of pollution? There are many types of water pollutionsediment, nutrients, invasive species, thermal, toxins, and others. Jamaica deals with one other type of pollutionsolid waste that finds its way into our steams and rivers. Littering and illegal dumping is the cause of this kind of pollution. How will the rangers and volunteers benefit personally from this project? Stream, river and beach cleanups can be an important part of a meaningful watershed educational experience. Rangers can learn about the impact of litter, math and classification skills, graphing and charting

skills, and much more based on the data they collect during a cleanup. Litter and aquatic debris are serious problems! All of the top ten items found are from peoplemostly from littering. Who benefits from the Coastal Cleanup in Jamaica?

Tourists visiting our beautiful island will be welcome by a lovely, clean view glancing into the ocean their first visit. This strip is the invitation and the gateway to our paradise and capital, we need to clean it up and keep it clean.

All Jamaicans who depend on our Commonwealth's waterways for recreation or commercial purposes benefit from this program's short and long-term improvements in waters' cleanliness and safety. Wildlife and plants benefit as trash-free water results in improved habitats. Entanglement of animals in fishing line, and ingestion of plastic by wild animals will both be decreased. Volunteers involved with the cleanup will learn firsthand the impact litter has on our rivers and beaches. There is no better education about the harm that litter can cause than by bagging it for several hours. Jamaica's Taxpayers benefit, as litter is collected through volunteer efforts, rather than tax dollars. Jamaican who read newspapers will learn about litter issues in the many articles placed by JET and the UN's websites.