Our Daily Ocean: Day 127

On Monday, I was 100% set on going to the beach after I picked my daughter up from school.  But on the way to pick her up, I saw the sky turn dark and then the rain started.  It quickly turned into a torential downpour with thunder and lightening.  My beach day was being thwarted by much needed rain and I was ok with it.  BUT... then... about an hour later, the thunderstorm was gone and there was nothing but blue skies!!! BEACH DAY was back on!!!

When we got to the beach, my husband was already in the water along with at least 40 other surfers.  Knowing that we had just gotten a pretty substantial rain, I couldn't help but think about all of the stories I've heard about California surfers getting sick because they went surfing after it rained.  Like right now, there is a "Rain Advisory" for LA county beaches.  During a rain advisory, it is highly recommended that beach users avoid contact with ocean water!  This lasts for 3 days after rainfall ends due to elevated levels of bacteria in the ocean because of storm water runoff. (yuck)  So as I saw all the surfers in the water, I thought about how lucky we are here... and how important beach water quality monitoring is....

Did you know that the EPA is proposing to cut all federal funding for beach water quality monitoring in 2013?  Seriously.  Funding for the BEACH Act was cut out of the EPA's proposed 2013 budget.  That means that water quality monitoring advancements and funding to help states monitor coastal water for our health and safety are now at risk.  Take a super quick moment to contact your Senators and urge them to put funding for the BEACH Act back into the budget!

Take action here ---> US BEACH Act Funding 

Ok... and in the middle of enjoying the calm after the storm... I cleaned up what little litter there was at the beach :)

20 minutes on March 19, 2012 at Access 38

Litter by weight: 4.2 oz 

Cigarette butts: 91

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 127 days:
42,124 

Our Daily Ocean: Day 117

Well... let's just get this out there.  Cigarette litter is a huge problem at Wrightsville Beach.  Over the past year and a half, I have done (with my family and friends) 117 twenty-minute beach cleanups.  The clean ups have spanned every season from the hottest to the coldest days on Wrightsville Beach.  I've burned my feet on the hot sand and been chilled to the bone by the cold winter winds.  I've picked up beer bottles, straws, caps, cans, toys, towels, underwear, condoms, plastic bags, diapers, tampons... some things come and go... some more than others.  BUT... as I'm sure you already know... there's one littered item that has stayed consistent throughout every season.  Cigarette butts.  No matter the time of year, they're always #1. 

In my garage sits 39,062 reasons why Wrightsville Beach needs to go smoke-free.  39,062 moments when people made the conscious decision to flick, stub out, or leave their cigarette butts on Wrightsville Beach... 39,062 cigarette butts and you and I both know that there's no way we've even come close to getting them all.  They blend in... and they get buried in the sand... 

As a mother of three young children, it's quite often that my kids dig cigarette butts up while building their sand castles (yes, this happened just yesterday)... and that's just wrong.  The cigarette filters are filled with toxins that can leach into our environment... and here our children are playing in sand that is littered with cigarette butts.   There is no reason that any of our children should be playing in a giant ashtray.  I support Smoke-Free Wrightsville Beach because all of our children deserve a clean and healthy beach to play at.  I'm asking for the support of everyone to help make Smoke-Free Wrightsville Beach a reality. 

Please add your name in support of Smoke-Free Wrightsville Beach

Big thanks to my AWESOME friend Ginger for meeting us out at Wrightsville Beach... AND... super high 5 hug thanks to all of my family, friends and readers like you who have shared their support for Smoke-Free WB!  I'm so grateful for this community!! :)

20 minutes on February 7, 2012 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 1 lb 4.1 oz

Cigarette butts: 187

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 117 days:

39,062

Our Daily Ocean: Day 115

There are some things that you just don't see when you look at beautiful pictures of the beach (or most photography for that matter).  Things are often cropped and cut out so that you only see what is beautiful.

I think about this fact a lot.... especially now that I've seen pictures of places... especially beaches that I once thought were pristine.

If anyone were to look at pictures of Wrightsville Beach on the internet (barring some of what I share, of course), they'd see a beautiful North Carolina Beach.  A place where families bring their children for a summer vacation, a place where surfers catch waves.... a place where amazing memories are created... a place of love.  All of that is Wrightsville Beach.  ....But Wrightsville Beach is also a place where we've picked up over 38,000 cigarette butts that had been put out in the WB sand.  It's a place where cigarette butts can be found in sandcastles and tide pools.  And, you obviously know that I have a problem with that.  I said from the beginning that I was going to help make Wrightsville Beach Smoke-Free... and I've committed myself to my community because I want to help make a difference.  BUT... here's the thing.  I can't do it alone.  I need YOUR help.  When we work TOGETHER to create change... anything is possible....

Support Smoke-Free Wrightsville Beach

Speaking of together and community... my awesome friend, Tracy, was a freaking rockstar beach sweeper last night!!  Seriously, she was digging through the wrack line finding all sorts of littered items from fishing lines with hooks to lots and lots of styrofoam (grr).  She even found this:

A cigarette filter that has a root... maybe a branch of some sort growing through it. We wonder how long it take for this to happen???  Hmmmm....

20 minutes on January 27, 2012 at Access 43

Litter by weight: 3 lbs 12.4 oz 
Cigarette butts: 217

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 115 days:

38,585

Life Rolls On

For the past few weeks, I've been somewhat MIA.  From taking unplanned trips to visit family to a broken computer... it feels like forever since I posted.  fyi: Forever = 15 days ;)  In my last post, I mentioned the awesome AWESOME day we had at Wrightsville Beach.  Now... computer fixed and my feet firmly planted back in Wilmington... it's time to rewind to October 1!!  :)

Just like last year, my husband and I volunteered with Ocean Cure for "Life Rolls On: They Will Surf Again".  It was something that I decided I wanted to get involved with after attending a benefit concert in February 2010.  During the concert, I saw "Wrightsville Beach" pop up on the screen and wondered why I had never heard about this organization.  So... if you don't know anything about Life Rolls On (LRO)... it's a subsidiary of the Dana & Christopher Reeve Foundation that was founded by Jesse Billauer, a young surfer who was left quadriplegic after a wave pushed him head first into a shallow sandbar.  His story is really really inspiring and motivating... I would highly recommend everyone watching "Jesse's Story."

I would also... tell anyone and everyone (my friends will vouch for it!)... that if you can ever volunteer for "They Will Surf Again"... you must.  It's one of the most inspiring things to be a part of.  Words can't begin to describe it and  pictures can't capture how unbelievably amazing it is...  you have to be there to feel the energy... to see the hope, happiness and witness the freedom.

"LRO is an avenue to hope, independence, freedom, happiness, inspiration, and teamwork.  It is about bringing people together and changing lives one day, one program, and one person at a time.  Each of LRO's amazing programs offers the opportunity for the physically disabled to open their minds, help them forget about their challenges and to be thankful for the opportunity to still be alive."

While my husband spent the day in the ocean with our friends and community helping get the participants surfing, I (much like last year) hung out on the beach.  BUT... this year, I actually got to do a lot more!!  This year, I not only volunteered with Ocean Cure for the LRO event... but I was also doing double duty by volunteering with Surfrider! During the event, I had a container of cigarette butts on display for playing "Guess How Many"... and we-- Bonnie, Ginger, my kids and I-- constructed a giant footprint in the sand to help raise awareness to the amount of litter-- especially plastics-- picked up off our beach!  From plastic water bottles to kids toys... all of the litter in the footprint (minus the containers  of cigarettes we displayed) was picked up by my friends Ginger and John on their Monday morning turtle walks during nesting season.  What they were able to do during their morning walks... is just more proof that with simple actions we DO make a difference.   Having the footprint on display during the event, had many advantages.  The obvious is that people were interested, but what was also great about it is that kids came to borrow toys that were in the footprint.  :) Since I'm now volunteering with my local chapter of Surfrider, this is an awesome opportunity to plug Raptoberfest.  Rap...what?! You ask. The whole month of October, Surfrider is dedicating to Rise Above Plastics (RAP)!  ...AND you know I'm ALL about Rising Above Plastics. :)  So... without further ramblings....straight from Surfrider... Here are 10 easy ways to reduce your plastic footprint:  Stop using single-use plastic water bottles.  In nearly all cases, the water out of your tap is just as safe – if not safer – than the water distributed in single-use plastic bottles.   Instead, buy and use a reusable bottle and fill it with water. Whenever possible, buy food in bulk.  Buying food in bulk helps to reduce the total amount of packaging materials consumed. Buy your music electronically.  By purchasing your music electronically, you avoid the need to create plastic compact discs, plastic jewel cases, and cellophane wrapping. Stop using plastic grocery bags.  Each year over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide.  Because these bags are so light and thin, they are easily carried by the wind out into the environment.  Instead, use reusable bags to get your groceries and other purchases home. Say “NO” to pre-packaged single serving portions.  These types of products are among the worst when it comes to excess packaging. Reusable containers are rad! When it comes to lunch and leftovers, ditch the plastic bag and use reusable containers instead.  Reusable containers are just as easy to use and far less harmful to the planet Buy a reusable travel mug.  Use a reusable travel mug or to-go cup for your coffee, tea and other beverage purchases.  Think of all the lids (as well as the waxed paper cups) you’ll save. Always look for alternative packaging. Many items such as soft drinks, detergent, cat litter, etc. come in alternate packaging (such as aluminum or cardboard) that can be more easily recycled than plastic. Buy and sell secondhand.  Clothing, toys, baby gear, furniture, household supplies, sporting goods and many other consumer items can often be found through secondhand sources, thereby reducing the amount of new plastic entering the waste stream.  Recycle! In those instances where you must use plastic, please make sure to recycle it.

Happy Raptoberfest... get your rethinking, reducing and reusing on.  Join your local Chapter of Surfrider... get involved in an organization that makes you feel awesome because you're doing awesome.  Do something that matters... and most importantly have fun. :) 

This post is dedicated to my Grandpa.

September 20, 1927- October 1, 2011

That's (Still) My Ride

Not long ago, my friend's husband mentioned that I might have gone overboard with the amount of bumper stickers that I have on my car.  Funny that it all started  a little over a year ago with just three and now I have 22!  Ok... maybe that is a lot, but I can't seem help myself.  So I keep adding flair to share with other drivers (or passer-bys) who I am because I totally like to express myself ;)  (...and see people smile)

Yup, I'm the girl who says "F*@k Plastic"... loves the beach, believes in community and equality, supports local... and well, so much more.  Hi! I'm Danielle.... you know me ;)

Hmmm... the left side is looking a little bare... don't ya think??!! 

Surfrider Spring Beach Sweep

On Saturday morning, we met up with our good friend Bonnie at Wrightsville Beach to participate in the Cape Fear Surfrider's Spring Surfer Sweep.  Doing an organized beach clean up is a little different than when we do our 20 minute clean ups... with no time limit we casually stroll and stop to talk A LOT!!  <--- apparently that's something that Bonnie and I are very good at!  ;)  Having gotten rain the day before (and not usually doing morning clean ups), I wasn't sure that there would be much to clean up on the beach.  BUT... as usual... the litter was there.  In fact, between our family and Bonnie, we picked up 3 lbs 4 oz of litter... which included 499 cigarette butts.  I've added those 499 cigarette butts to the Community Count for Wrightsville Beach (check the totals out on the sidebar). 

If you recall, back in January... one of my "More Than Resolutions" was to become a member of Surfrider.  BUT... for our family becoming a member is more than just donating some $$.  We want to make sure that we are actively involved in supporting and participating as much as we can.  And why wouldn't we all??   Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the worlds oceans, waves and beaches.  That's something we all should be supporting. 

 High Five Facts about Surfrider:  

1. Rise Above Plastics:  Surfrider is on a mission to reduce the impacts of plastics in the marine environment by raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and by advocating for a reduction of single-use plastics and the recycling of all plastics. Cape Fear Surfrider has ditched handing out plastic garbage bags for clean ups.  Instead, they're now using burlap bags!    
2. Not The Answer:  Surfrider is opposed to any new off-shore drilling and strongly advocates for America to seek a comprehensive and environmentally sustainable energy plan that includes energy conservation.  Save the date:  Hands Across the Sand is June 25!  
3. The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water
4. Surfrider SOUP:  Surfrider's informative (and free!) e-newsletter with the latest environmental and coastal news.  (Sign up at www.surfrider.org... in the top righthand corner.)
5.  Surfrider has kick ass apparel.  Seriously.  Looking for a "Ban The Bag" tee??  You'll find it here: Swell Surfrider Store

Ok... so anyone can join Surfrider.  You don't have to be a surfer. ;)  Become involved in anyway you can.  Make a donation, do a beach clean up, sign up for the weekly SOUP, share Surfrider's PSAs...  become engaged to protect what we love; our oceans, waves and beaches.

To learn more about how awesome Surfrider is... check out their website: www.surfrider.org

More Than Resolutions.

Last January, I made my first real New Year's Resolution.... however, I didn't call it a New Year's Resolution... I called it a Life Resolution.

This year... I'm going to keep on keeping on with that Life Resolution, my cigarette butt litter project (including getting The Bait Tank's installed on Wrightsville Beach) and plastic-free food.  But it's not going to end there.  Nope.  I'm also going to make some commitments right here right now:

1. Join of Surfrider.  (Done!  My husband just joined!)

2. Collect our plastic waste EVERY week for 2011 and share it on "My Plastic Free Life" (the blog formerly known as Fake Plastic Fish) for the Show Your Plastic Challenge.  I'm hoping that by showing off our plastic waste for 52 weeks, that we'll have lots of epiphanies on how to reduce our plastic usage!!!  (This will start on Sunday January 2.)

This is our plastic waste from December 19-25, 2010

3. Continue to support the efforts of Bonnie Monteleone with The Plastic Ocean.

4. Become one of Wallace J. Nichols 100 Blue Angels to allow him to have one true employer-- the ocean.

5. Plastic bag ban in Wilmington.  I can't stop thinking about it.  So...Yeah, we're going to do it... and Bonnie's on board... who else wants to help???

Oh yeah... and I'm totally going to learn how to surf. ;)  

Our Daily Ocean: Day 17

On Monday, while my two oldest children decided to stay at work with their Dad... my youngest son and I went to Wrightsville Beach to... well... you know what we do.  I had originally decided that we were going to go to Access 39, but as I as driving I saw a really great parking spot at.....  Access 33!!

Prepared to pay for parking...I got out a bunch of coins to fill the parking meter... and as loaded in my first coin... NOTHING happened!!  Oooops!!  Off-season!!  YAY!! Free parking!!! (well... kind of... I totally lost 35 cents!)

The weather on Monday was less than ideal for the beach.... cold and windy... (sigh) it's finally fall here in Wilmington.... 

There was hardly anyone at the beach... just a couple of fisherman and a few runners that we saw pass during our 20 minutes.  As we were picking up the usual... I came across a lot of blue rope material...

It was all over the beach... frayed with little blue pieces everywhere.... not sure "what" exactly it's made of... but since I had a bucket overflowing with the rope... it makes me think that maybe Blockade Runner could come up with another way to mark their volleyball court (??)... hmmm....

Soooo... want the good news?!?  On Monday when we got home from the beach... I saw that Brita FilterForGood had finally announced the winners of the FilterForGood Film Project!!  Yup... my project was voted as one of the winners!  Of course, I knew Friday... but as soon as it was up on Facebook and the directors were announced... even MORE...JUMPING!!  DANCING!!  YAY!!  I am so grateful for everyone who took the time to vote for my project.... I have the most AWESOME family, friends and community!! 

(:   THANK YOU!!   :)

On that note of community, I talk about my friend Bonnie a lot on this blog and what she's doing about plastics in our oceans... 

"Did you know that an estimated 60-80% of marine litter starts out on land??  Much of this is done while people are enjoying our beautiful shorelines, oceans and waterways. " (Natural Awakenings pages 22-23... Thanks Barb!!) 

On November 6, I'll be livestreaming Tedx Great Pacific Garbage Patch.  You should totally join us for this global community event... as no doubt it will change the way we live today and for the future.  This one-day event will bring together speakers from all different fields to discuss the global plastic pollution crisis.  Together the group will identify the problem and share possible ways to solve it.  AND... the conference will culminate with the launch of 4 challenges to humanity... you can watch the event LIVE on    www.TedxGreatPacificGarbagePatch.com, or here on my blog (I'll get that up Saturday) OR on the "It Starts With Me" facebook page starting at 8:30 am PST.

Confirmed speakers include Dr. Sylvia Earle, Captain Charles Moore, Van Jones, David de Rothschild, Jackson Browne, Jordan Howard, Stacy Malkan, Ken Cook, Bharati Chaturvedi, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, Vice President of Ghana, Beth Terry, Fabien Cousteau, and Ed Begley Jr. More speakers are listed on the event web sitewww.TedxGreatPacificGarbagePatch.com.  View the agenda for the day’s events at http://www.tedxgreatpacificgarbagepatch.com/agenda/. 

20 minutes on November 1, 2010

Total amount of litter picked up by weight: 5.7 oz

Cigarette Butts: 85 (yes... this is the least amount we've picked up... YAY!!)

My son said, "Mom... I didn't get much cigarettes."  I told him, "That's a good thing."

Total amount of cigarette butts picked up off of Wrightsville Beach, NC in 17 days:

7,710