Marine Debris Beach Cleanup: Third night free! at The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island

Because of the connectedness of the seas, marine debris is a widespread issue facing the world’s oceans and coastal ecosystems. Marine debris is classified as any manufactured object discarded, disposed of, or abandoned that has the potential to enter the ocean, and encompasses everything from cigarette butts to derelict fishing gear to tsunami debris. Scientists and conservation organizations like NOAA and the Ocean Conservancy have been working to better understand the sources, the effects, and potential solutions to marine debris.

In September 2012, we initiated a regular cleanup and survey on our shores. In cooperation with the Ocean Conservancy and Rivers Alive of Georgia, we have not only been cleaning up our beach, but counting and documenting each piece of marine debris that we remove. That information then goes into a database of debris removed from beaches around the world. By documenting the debris we collect, we begin to build a debris profile of our oceans, which helps us create more effective solutions.

With the help of guests and volunteers, we have removed over a thousand pounds of debris from our beaches and marshes. The top three items being plastic beverage bottles, beverage cans, and balloons.