Ballon Releases

Question: What’s the difference between these two scenarios? 

1. An airplane flies over a river and wetlands and releases 1,000 plastic bags.
2. A group of people get together and release 1,000 balloons.

Answer: There is no difference.  

All released balloons, including those falsely marketed as “biodegradable latex,” return to earth as nothing more than destructive and unsightly litter. Dolphins, whales, turtles, and many other marine species, as well as animals such as cows, dogs, sheep, tortoises, and birds, have all been hurt or killed by balloons. The balloon (or balloon fragment) blocks the digestive tract, leaving them unable to take in nutrients - and they slowly starve to death. 



Some states (including Florida), cities, and countries have enacted laws regarding the release of balloons. Meanwhile balloon industry entities spend millions of dollars lobbying to keep balloon releases legal. Releasing balloons should be included in already existing litter laws - after all, this activity is nothing more than organized littering.


Please…think about it – and choose, instead, an activity that celebrates and enhances our planet and its creatures.

St. Marys River Clean-up and Celebration

On Saturday, March 28, a record-breaking 197 volunteers gathered at 

Howard Gilman Memorial Park for the annual St. Marys River and Clean-

up. The day before, 53 Navy volunteers arrived to clean up the waterfront

and collected 23 bags of trash, 9 bags of recyclables, pieces of rusty metal 

and other detritus from the marsh and along St. Marys Street. 

From 8:30 am to 12 pm on Saturday, volunteers spread out throughout 

the downtown area and far beyond, retrieving trash from the streets, 

ditches, marsh and river. Mayor Morrissey and all members of City 

Council joined in along with kayakers, boaters, Scout troops, high school 

students, and citizens of all ages. St. Marys EarthKeepers Chair Alex 

Kearns stated “Once again our community showed its spirit and unity. 

Clearly, even though we've made huge strides in reducing litter, there is 

still a great deal of work to be done. It was a wonderful day for all 

involved.”

The final tally: 197 volunteers, 92 33-gallon bags of trash, and 53 33-

gallon bags of recyclables.

The St. Marys EarthKeepers extend their thanks to the media and all who

 shared the event-notice via Facebook etc. and email, Advanced Disposal 

for their invaluable assistance, and, above all, to everyone who 

participated.

St. Marys River Clean & Celebration 2015

Photo: Steve Royer

It’s time to mark your calendars again and save the date: Saturday, March 28 – The St. Marys River Clean-up and Celebration.

Each year, volunteers from four counties work together to free our lovely river of the trash that stifles her breath and sullies the marshes.

Last year, 94 St. Marys volunteers (including our City Council) collected 54 33-gallon bags of trash, 26 bags of recyclable material plus carpets, broken furniture, tires, plumbing fixtures, rotting boards and other debris from our roadside, riverfront and ditches. And that’s just what we could reach. 

We meet at Howard Gilman City Park (St. Marys waterfront) at 9 am and work until 12 pm, followed by lunch at White Oak Plantation. Our volunteers each year span ages from six years old to eighty-plus…and we do hope you’ll join us.

If you wish to register your group ahead of time, please contact Alex Kearns at 912-673-6120.

St. Marys River Clean-up and Celebration

This morning in St. Marys:

94 volunteers between the ages of six and eighty-plus collected 54 33-gallon bags of trash, 26 bags of recyclable material plus carpets, broken furniture, tires, plumbing fixtures, rotting boards and other detritus from our roadside, riverfront and ditches. And that’s just what we could reach. 

To the best of my knowledge this was also the first time that our Mayor and entire City Council (with the exception of one whose wife was having surgery) joined in. There’s something truly wonderful about seeing our elected officials come together to throw their efforts behind an event such as this. I think that I can hear our river breathe just a bit easier right now. Thank you, everyone!

Alex

St. Marys River Clean-Up 2012

Please join the St. Marys EarthKeepers at the annual River Cleanup on Saturday, March 17. We will be at the Waterfront Park in St. Marys starting at 8:00 a.m. and will be cleaning up Downtown St. Marys. Afterward, there will be a celebration picnic (around noon) at Traders Hill in Folkston (off Hwy 121 going south out of Folkston). We hope you’ll help us make a difference and take part in this annual event. Wear comfortable clothing, bring bug spray (for yourself) and drinking water. We will provide bags and gloves.
Please let us know if you can join us by contacting alexkearns1@msn.com