SMES K-Kids Protect the Environment

The St. Marys Elementary School K-Kids, sponsored by the local Kiwanis, earned enough points to buy 9 acres of protected wildlife land.
The Drink Pouch Brigade is a group of K-Kids who collect, clean up, and package drink pouches which are sent to a company, TerraCycle, who then uses the drink pouches to make such items as backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags and many more items. Students drop their empty drink pouches in a designated bucket in the school cafeteria. Every morning brigade members gather the pouches, squeeze out any excess juice and prepare the pouches for shipping. (A copy paper box can hold 1500+ pouches).
At the end of the school year, students voted what to do with their points. With last year’s points, students were able to purchase 9 acres of protected land. With TerraCycle (through National Wildlife Federation’s Adopt-a-Wildlife-Acre program) SMES students help protect the wild animals that are at risk of death when they roam beyond the protected borders of Yellowstone National Park.
Your donation to the Adopt-a-Wildlife-Acre program will help resolve this chronic conflict between ranchers and wildlife and support vital conservation and education programs. NWF compensates ranchers for retiring their grazing allotments in and around national parks, thereby allowing ranchers to relocate their livestock to new conflict-free locations. Ranchers are happy, their livestock can thrive and wildlife survives. To date, National Wildlife Federation has retired over 600,000 acres of land in the Yellowstone region, thereby giving wildlife the room they need to roam.
This year once again students will be able to drop their drink pouches in the bucket after lunch. Students can even bring them from home to donate. TerraCycle accepts not only the Capri Suns but Kool-Aid Jammers and any other brand of drink pouches. They don’t accept juice boxes. SMES K-Kids are sponsored by Sue Lockhart, Christy Cobb, Lynda Duchscherer, and Gale Lizana.
More information about TerraCycle can be found at:
 http://www.terracycle.com/en-US/?format=html

E-Recycling Event Hosted by The St. Marys EarthKeepers and the Tribune & Georgian. 

Due to requests from so many in our community, the EarthKeepers are hosting another E-Scrap event. Our last two resulted in the collection of over 23 tons of electronic material. Let’s see if we can beat our own record! 


Date: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 am - 4 pm 


Location: The Tribune & Georgian parking lot, 206 Osborne St., St. Marys


Costs: A suggested donation of $5 (per vehicle) would be most appreciated. 


What: Computers, flat-screen monitors, cables etc, cell phones, copiers, keyboards, printers, DVD/CD players and other electronic equipment. DVDs, floppy discs, VCR tapes etc. (Note: TVs are no longer accepted during on-site collections). 


Details: Recycling E-Scrap is an EPA approved electronic recycling company that meets all H.I.P.P.A. requirements. The company will remove all unwanted or unused electronic equipment, including battery-operated equipment, batteries, non-ferrous metals and plastic. 


On the day of the pickup, Recycling E-Scrap contractors will supply the labor to load the equipment onto the truck. At the time of the pickup, a complete inventory list of all the items will be made followed by a secondary inventory once the items arrive at the warehouse in Jacksonville, Fl. 
The electronics materials are checked in and then completely cleansed of all data. (A "Certificate of Destruction" will then be available after the cleansing process is completed). 100% of all materials are then recycled.

Sea Turtles!

Thanks to EarthKeepers board member, Rick Frey, for this photo of the re-entry path of a sea turtle making her way back to the sea after laying her eggs. (Fernandina Beach, July 2012).

Although loggerheads are still listed as "endangered", the number of recorded nests found in Georgia has been on the rise over the last three years, with last year’s tally adding up to more than twice the number found in 2009. Cumberland Island averages more than 200 loggerhead nests annually, but this year experienced turtle-watching teams reported over 500 loggerhead nests. Although this year’s numbers on the Georgia Coast are lower than those from 2011, the nesting season is not over yet.

For only the second time in recorded history, Georgia welcomed a Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle this year. The Kemp’s Ridley is the world’s most endangered sea turtle species and usually nests at beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the fate of the Kemp's Ridley seemed sealed - but there is hope.

The end of July heralded the first loggerhead hatchlings emergence from their buried nests on Tybee and other Georgia islands. The small turtles will be seen crawling across dozens of beaches in the coming weeks as they make their way home to sea so please remember the Light's Out rule if you see a female on the beach or hatchlings emerging.

During the nesting season, loggerheads can be disoriented by artificial lights such as streetlights, exterior lights on commercial building, headlights, high density dwellings and beach front homes - and the light from these man-made sources will lead them away from the ocean or deter them from nesting. People on or near the beach using flashlights, bonfires, landscape lighting or camera-flashes can also disorient loggerhead hatchlings for they require the ocean's natural light to navigate from the nest towards the sea but will crawl towards the brightest light source. So as tempting as it may be to capture a photo or get a closer look with your flashlight, please don't. A life may depend on it.

Unusual Visitors

This is the Roseate Spoonbill. We've been receiving reports of sightings in and around St. Marys: in fact, one of our board members, Bob Nutter, captured a photo of a spoonbill standing on his dock. They are startlingly beautiful creatures and we welcome them...but their presence rings the already-clamorous climate change alarm bells.

From Audubon: "Only the northern edge of the Roseate Spoonbill's range lies within the United States. This neotropical bird can be found in many areas around the Gulf of Mexico, and breeds in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Florida populations occur in the southern half of the state. Roseate Spoonbills are also found in Mexico, Central America, and South America, as well as across the West Indies and Greater Antilles."  

As We Are Now

We held our regular meeting tonight and, as always, I am amazed by the energy and dedication of the EarthKeeper's Board. The monthly committee reports include:

Naval Base (what's new and notable from our Board member on Base, Jennifer Ward-Pelar).

School Activities (from our teacher, Gale Lizana).

Communication (what's been done and what's needed).

St. Marys Curbside Recycling (the monthly rate report).

RiverWatch (all matters pertaining to the health and welfare of our river: committee Chair, Rick Frey).

And then we move on to observations, ideas and discussions.

- July's recycling results are the best we've seen for that month since the beginning of curbside recycling: 37.99 tons collected. Well done, St. Marys! But how do we increase the numbers? With the addition of junk mail and "chip board", each and every home should be placing two bins by the curb but it seems that many are unsure of what "chip board" entails. 

Think "Packaging": cereal boxes, soda boxes, beer boxes, mac & cheese boxes, Kleenex boxes...all of those cardboard items that once went into the trash are now welcomed in your recycling bin. So is Junk Mail - all of those flyers that find their way into your mailbox. If you don't have a bin, just contact mthomas@advanceddisposal.com and one will appear at your home within the week.

- We're pleased and gratified by the number of people who visit this site for updates and information and we want to make it even more informative and interactive.

E.g. one Board member who lives on the river has noted increased activity re: dolphins, roseate spoonbills and manatees.

Another (our school teacher at St. Marys Elementary) spoke of a lizard that the children found that is actually listed as an "invasive species."

The number of derelict boats in our harbor is a matter of grave concern. It is also a complex issue that involves myriad agencies.

I invite you all to contact us with such reports, concerns and observations.

- The annual January Electronic Recycling fair hosted by the EarthKeepers is a hugely popular event and I am constantly asked when our next one will be. After-Christmas has always seemed like the most reasonable time and I thank you all for holding on to your e-scrap. Given the response of the community we may need to arrange this twice-yearly...but until then, please "collect the stuff" until next January.

And now the hard part. We have hundreds of members who joined us when we were first established. We've not sent out reminders of yearly dues because your voices and support have meant all the difference between a city that doesn't recycle; a city littered by trash; a city that doesn’t act as a good steward of its extraordinary environment. As a 501c3 we have considerable insurance payments and there are costs involved in city-wide clean-ups, public service notices, providing recycling bins for all city events and so forth. 

We will continue to do our utmost to help our community to protect this precious corner of our planet as we  address your questions, provide new information and create/encourage increased environmental awareness. We ask only that you either renew your membership, join us or donate whatever you can. Thank you so much for your support over the years.
http://www.stmarysearthkeepers.com/memberform.pdf

Alex Kearns

Chair, St. Marys EarthKeepers, Inc.

Recycling List Update

Since December, 2007, St. Marys residents have enjoyed the benefits of a curbside recycling program. Each month, tons of material are collected and recycled: an effort that helps to prevent burdening our landfill site. Green groups are active in our schools, county and city officials strive to increase energy efficiency, city-wide littering appears to be less of an unsightly problem, clean-ups are held regularly and our recycling rate remains at almost twice that of the national average.

According to the St. Marys EarthKeeper’s Chair, Alex Kearns, “The recycling program is a wonderful success as, once again, the people of St. Marys are proving themselves to be forward-thinking, proactive and protective of our extraordinary environment.” Advanced Disposal continues to add more items to the recycling list with the latest addition of junk mail and chip board. Myron Thomas of Advanced Disposal states “St Mary's citizens can be proud to say that they have removed an estimated 1744 tons of recyclable material since the start of the program. This is certainly something to build on but everyone should always remember the three R's: reduce, reuse and recycle.”

Accepted:          

            

            ·Plastics #1 & #2 (numbers on bottom of containers)
·Corrugated cardboard flattened, and cut in 2 ft. by 2 ft. pieces
·Newspaper, inserts, phone books and catalogs
·Brown paper bags
·Glass bottles and jars (green, brown and clear)
·Metal and aluminum cans (remove lids)
·Junk mail
·Chip board (soda cartons, dry food packages, etc.) 

Unacceptable:

            

            ·Waxed juice or milk cartons
·Egg cartons or Styrofoam trays
·Mirrors or window glass
·Pool or other chemical containers
·Plastic bags
·Aerosol cans
·Wet newspaper
·Pizza Boxes 

Important:
·Please remove lids and empty and clean all cans, bottles and plastics.

RiverWatch

I'm pleased to announce the creation of a new St. Marys EarthKeepers initiative: RiverWatch. Throughout the past six years we have worked to inform the public (and fellow environmental agencies) about various issues that threaten the health of our river - from JEA proposed water withdrawals to the introduction of invasive species and potentially harmful industrial/development projects.

Rick Frey (a member of the EarthKeepers' board) will serve as Chair of the RiverWatch committee (comprised of Bob Nutter, Ray Valente and myself). As an avid boater, a St. Marys resident and a Georgia Master Naturalist, Rick offers expertise and dedication.

If you have concerns or questions regarding the St. Marys River, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Alex Kearns

2012 St. Marys River Clean-up

Once again, volunteers came out in force for the annual St. Marys River Clean-up on Saturday, March 17th (sponsored by the St. Marys River Management Committee). The local effort was spearheaded by the St. Marys EarthKeepers who directed a team of 70 volunteers, including Cub Scout Pack 118 from Kingsland. Over 1,650 lbs. of trash were collected by teams who scoured the river, waterfront and downtown area. The event attracted 45 first-time volunteers - 6 of whom came from out of state.

Meanwhile, 9 participants worked as a team to collect trash from the HGTV Dream Home dock around to the outer parcel at the end of the Cumberland Harbour property as well as a portion along the North River. After last year's herculean effort there was substantially less trash to be picked up but they still collected an entire truck-load of garbage from the marsh area. (Pictured: Bill Bruce, Sam Colville, Joan Edelen, David Spencer, Joyce Kirkman, Andy Kirkman, and Joe Gregory. Not pictured: Phil Hooton, Jack Halsey, Brian Timberlake)

Alex Kearns, Chair of the St. Marys EarthKeepers, stated "Once again we were thrilled by the level of participation. While there is still much work to be done in terms of the ongoing litter problem in our area, we're seeing real advances as each year. Huge thanks to all of those who came out to join in this event."

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

Recycling Results

It gives me great pleasure to report the results of the second annual St. Marys EarthKeepers E-Scrap event, held on Sat. January 14th. This year the Tribune & Georgian also offered paper-shredding services. Citizens brought in 7,211 pounds of paper – which is a marked increase over last year’s amount of 4,259 pounds.

Over 13 tons of electrical equipment was collected for recycling. Along with last year’s 10 tons this means that in two years of holding this one event we have prevented over 23 tons (or 46,000 pounds) of electronic waste material from entering our landfill.

Given the resounding success of this event, the EarthKeepers will be organizing and hosting it every year – with plans to expand our media coverage well beyond Camden County.

Along with the obvious environmental impacts of such endeavors there is the affirmative press that our city receives and the immense sense of satisfaction felt when out community comes together to make a positive difference.

On behalf of the EarthKeepers, I’d like to thank the media outlets and the various county and city governments for helping to publicize this event, the Tribune & Georgian, the EarthKeepers volunteers who once again so generously gave of their time and efforts – and the people of Camden County for stepping up, en masse, to do the right thing.

Last year 386.64 tons of recyclable material was collected in St. Marys through Advanced Disposal’s weekly curbside recycling bin collection. That’s 773,280 pounds of material in one single year that didn’t end up in the landfill site. And that number exceeds 2010’s amount.

Our compliance rate continues to be almost twice that of the national average and awareness grows. Given these results, the interest of the citizens and our natural environment, St. Marys is uniquely positioned to attract new future residents, businesses and tourists. We are proving ourselves to be a united community in many respects – now we just need to creatively and aggressively promote our city while continuing to build upon our strengths.

Electronic Recyling Event

Second Annual E-Recycling/Paper Shredding Event Hosted by The St. Marys EarthKeepers and the Tribune & Georgian.

As the holiday season approaches, many of us look to dispose of unwanted electronics and old paper files. Please hold on to all such items until the New Year – at which time they can be collected and recycled. During last year’s event, St. Marys gathered almost 10 tons of electronic e-scrap. Let’s see if we can beat our own record!

Date: Saturday, January 14, 10 am - 4 pm

Location: The Tribune & Georgian parking lot, 206 Osborne St., St. Marys

Costs: Free except for TVs (small, $10.00. Anything over 30", $20.00)What: Computers, monitors, cables etc, cell phones, copiers, keyboards, printers and other electronic equipment, DVDs, floppy discs, VCR tapes etc.

Details: Recycling E-Scrap is an EPA approved electronic recycling company that meets all H.I.P.P.A. requirements. The company will remove all unwanted or unused electronic equipment, including battery-operated equipment, batteries, non-ferrous metals and plastic.
On the day of the pickup, Recycling E-Scrap contractors will supply the labor to load the equipment onto the truck. At the time of the pickup, a complete inventory list of all the items will be made followed by a secondary inventory once the items arrive at the warehouse in Jacksonville, Fl. The electronics materials are checked in and then completely cleansed of all data. (A "Certificate of Destruction" will then be available after the cleansing process is completed). 100% of all materials are then recycled.

Paper Shredding: The team from Sentry Data Management will be at the location to deal with all of your paper-shredding needs. The shredding process is not done on-site due to the need to remove all staples etc. and sort the material prior to recycling. The company is licensed and bonded and each person who uses the free service receives a Document of Destruction. Sentry is NAID AAA Certified and approved by the GCIC to handle sensitive records.

Our City Park

On Saturday, June 25, the City will be holding a 10th Anniversary celebration for Howard Gilman Park.

All citizens are asked to join in a Day of Service and lend their efforts to cleaning up: helping to paint, mulch, weed and remove any trash.

Work will commence at 6:30 am and continue to 12:30 pm, with a brief speech from Mayor DeLoughy to follow at 1 pm.

Whether you can help for an hour or for the entire time, your participation would be deeply appreciated.

Can Jam!

Congratulations from the St. Marys EarthKeepers! Habitat for Humanity's ReStore's Second Annual Earth Day Can Jam was, once again, a resounding success. Can Jam is an aluminum can recycling contest held between local schools to promote environmental stewardship and awareness.

“Our thanks to ReStore, the schools, the teachers and, above all, the many students who participated in Can Jam again this year.” said St. Marys EarthKeepers Chair, Alex Kearns. “The children of Camden County continue to serve as an inspiration for us all.”

This year the following schools participated: Crooked River Elementary K-Kids, David L. Rainer Elementary, Mamie Lou Gross Elementary, Mary Lee Clark Elementary, Matilda Harris Elementary, St. Marys Elementary, and Woodbine Elementary. Woodbine Elementary School is also a year round can collector for Habitat for Humanity. Each school competed for the title of “Can Jam Champion” by collecting the most bags of cans beginning on March 22nd and ending on April 22 (Earth Day).

St. Marys Elementary School has been awarded the title of “Can Jam Champion” with Mary Lee Clark Elementary following in a very close second place.

Pictured: Gale Lizana, SMES teacher and St. Marys EarthKeepers Board member proudly displays the Can Jam award.

Upcoming Events

E-Recycling event hosted by the St. Marys EarthKeepers

Date: Saturday, April 23, 10 am - 4 pm Location: The Tribune & Georgian parking lot (206 Osborne St., downtown St. Marys)

Costs: Free except for TVs (small, $10.00. Anything over 30", $20.00)

What: Computers, monitors, cables etc, copiers, keyboards, printers and other electronic equipment, DVD, floppy discs, VCR tapes etc.

Details: Recycling E-Scrap is an EPA approved electronic recycling company that meets all H.I.P.P.A. requirements. The company will remove ALL unwanted or unused electronic equipment, including battery-operated equipment, batteries, non-ferrous metals and plastic. On the day of the pickup, Recycling E-Scrap contractors will supply the labor to load the equipment onto the truck. At the time of the pickup, a complete inventory list of all the items will be made followed by a secondary inventory once the items arrive at the warehouse in Jacksonville, Fl. The electronics materials are checked in and then completely cleansed of all data. Upon completion of wiping all the computers of any remaining data a "Certificate of Destruction" is sent out to the Client. 100% of all materials are then recycled. http://www.scrapcomputers.com/

Can Jam!

A Message from The ReStore Director:

This is a great year for recycling! The Habitat ReStore has just begun asking schools to join us for a recycling competition for earth day. This is our second annual "Earth Day Can Jam." Schools compete with each other by collecting aluminum cans for Habitat. The schools that collects the most cans will be awarded the title (and trophy) of "Can Jam Champion."

This contest begins on March 22nd and ends on April 22nd (Earth Day). Last year our winner was Mary Lee Clark Elementary School. I wonder who will take the prize this year? We are looking for any encouragement that we can get from the community! Help us spread the word to our schools! We have already sent out a mass email and faxed flyers to ALL local schools but currently have only one school signed up. Can you encourage your members to talk to their child's school? This is a great way for teachers to talk about Earth Day, Recycling, and helping out the community! Last year we had seven schools participate and it would be great to have more.

Also, Habitat has just signed up to receive a FREE paper recycling container from SP Recycling. We will be able to recycle office paper, newspaper, and even junk mail! We are fortunate to have a group from Coastal College join us to kick off a NEW paper recycling campaign. We are working out the details soon and hope to have as many local businesses as possible join us in recycling their scrap paper. The best part? Each time Habitat returns the recycle container we will receive funds from the recycling company!

Two recycling campaigns in 2011! We will be busy but the outcome will be great. Not only can we share how important it is to recycle but we can build houses too. Just think of what that extra soda can or office paper can do if it is recycled. Not only will it stay out of our landfill but it can possibly buy the front door knob for the next Habitat house. It is our hope to not only build houses but also expand our recycling programs to everyone in Camden County. The more people that we can encourage to recycle.the better our future will be!

Thank you,

Christena Panzone
ReStore Director
cpanzone@hfhcamden.org
Office: 912-673-1266
Fax: 912-673-7616
ReStore/Donation Line: 912-729-3633
www.hfhcamden.org/restore

Right Whales

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-02-03/story/endangered-right-whale-investigation-held-butler-beach

The loss of a young female right whale is tragic. This, once again, reminds us of how imperative it is to continue to fight against the planned U.S. Navy sonar range off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida. The planned site is 625 square miles and within the only known calving grounds of these imperilled creatures. This sonar range, if allowed, will result in the signing of a death warrant for the right whale - less than 350 of which remain.

The Loss of our Cypress Forests

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has released its Top Ten Most Endangered Places list. Included on that list are Georgia's rapidly-vanishing cypress forests. We strongly urge all citizens and government officials to forgo the use of cypress mulch and to use, instead, any of the many effective, environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient products on the market today.

"WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Georgia’s iconic wetland landscape includes trees over 1,000 years old; habitat for endangered species; ecosystem that naturally helps to prevent flooding


THE THREAT

Fueled by an increase in demand for cypress mulch, timber companies are chopping down Georgia’s iconic wetland forests faster than they can recover.
Cypress forests are icons of the southern wetland landscape and perform essential ecological functions, from capturing and storing floodwaters to providing habitat for endangered species. SELC has found that they are also suffering a decline, brought on in large part by an explosion in demand for cypress mulch. In an EPA-supported study of cypress forests in Georgia, we determined that harvested cypress stands often fail to regrow; once they are cut, the trees and the habitat they provide are lost forever.
SELC will soon release a report on the status of Georgia’s cypress forests and how they can be protected. High on our priority list is to educate consumers, retailers, and government officials on the need to ensure that cypress products are harvested in responsible and sustainable ways. Otherwise, we may lose one of the South’s most valuable ecological gems. " http://www.southernenvironment.org/about/top_10_2011/georgias_cypress_forests/

As many organizations work to save the nation's cypress, consumer demand drives the destruction onward. Please, before you purchase mulch, take a moment to learn more about the terrible costs to our environment. http://healthygulf.org/our-work/save-our-cypress/save-our-cypress-home

Flag Dedication Ceremony

Jan. 15, 2020: Today we gathered at the EarthKeepers' Memory Garden to dedicate a new flag in honor of O.J. Lanham. Due to the generosity of the Kiwanis Club of St. Marys and the friends and family of O.J., the Memory Garden is now graced by the symbol of our nation. Our sincere thanks to those who participated in this very special event; with particular gratitude to Councilman Greg Bird, Loretta Hutchinson, Mayor DeLoughy and those who shared their lovely memories of O.J.

Jan. 13, 2010

Happy New Year to St. Marys! Here are a few "green" highlights from 2010:

- It's been almost four years since the curbside recycling program was initiated in St. Marys and we still enjoy a recycling compliance rate of almost twice that of the national average. On average, 30-35 tons of recyclable material is processed each month, thus extending the life of our landfill immeasurably. We continue our advertising campaign, urging all residents to reduce, re-use and recycle, and we extend our sincere thanks to the Tribune & Georgian for their assistance with this effort (www.tribune-georgian.com).

- The EarthKeepers continue to fight the proposed airport relocation to a site that includes over 225 acres of fragile wetlands.

- We partnered with the Camden County Girl Guides in a Book Drive to benefit the families and children of the True Freedom Learning Center (and our thanks to Once Upon a Bookseller and Habitat for Humanity's ReStore for their invaluable help). Over 1,800 books were collected for the Center's Children's Library. This same drive also garnered over 25 computers for a computer lab at the Center (both sparing our landfill and helping our children). www.truefreedomlearningcenter.com

- Our Board Chair, Alex Kearns, has been a guest speaker for a wide variety of groups including the Woodbine Women's Association and the Rotary Club.

- Due to the generosity of the Kiwanis Club and Mr Chuck Lanham, there is a new flagpole with solar lighting at the EarthKeepers' Memory Garden (next to Oak Grove Cemetery) in memory of O.J. Lanham.

- The battle against the plastic bags that decimate our environment goes on and we plan more re-useable cloth bag give-aways throughout the coming year.

- The EarthKeepers were involved in persuading the St. John's River Water Management District to consider alternate water-sources when we heard of their plan to remove over 30 million gallons per day from the St. Marys River. Instead of this devastating proposal they have chosen to explore conservation measures.

- Litter is still an appalling problem in our community and we will be holding more clean-ups and public awareness campaigns to address this on-going issue.

- We continue to support and celebrate such school groups as the Mary Lee Clark Elementary School Green Panthers as they build upon their recycling and gardening projects. The teachers of St. Marys go above and beyond the call of duty and are leading our children to a more sustainable future. Due to the extraordinary generosity of Advanced Disposal, all of our schools are now recycling!

These are but a few of our programs and efforts during the past year and we eagerly look forward to 2011. We hope that you will join us as we work towards a cleaner, greener world for us all.

July 3 Parade for America

An invitation from Alex Kearns:
It is often the case that in the darkness of tragedy, a small light
glimmers: a light born of increased knowledge and the determination
to learn from shared heartbreak. As a catastrophe of almost
unimaginable proportions continues to unfold in the Gulf of Mexico, a
renewed awareness of the fragility of our planet is sweeping our
nation...and the world. The crucial need for renewable sources of
energy, calls for greater regulations – and the strict adherence to
those regulations – and the demand for the exploration, funding and
development of sustainable energy can no longer be ignored.

On July 3rd in St. Marys we will celebrate the adoption of the
Declaration of Independence. Throughout the United States
environmental organizations are reporting a massive surge in their
memberships as citizens begin to more fully embrace the need for
mindful stewardship and environmental awareness. Independence from
oil is imperative, for as long as our country continues to bear the
burden of consumer-driven addiction we will be destined to repeat the
Gulf tragedy.

We invite you all to walk with the St. Marys EarthKeepers during the
July 3rd parade. Parade participants will be gathering at 9:15am on
Meeting St. (beside the old mill property). Now is the time for
unified voices, solidarity and strength. Please join us.

Alex

Alex Kearns
Chair

Memorialize Someone Special

With Memorial Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to
consider memorializing a loved one or someone special in your life
who you would truly like to honor with a tribute brick in the St.
Marys EarthKeepers Memory Garden by Oak Grove Cemetery. For just $50,
you can create a lasting memorial as a symbol of your love and
remembrance. Please go to www.stmarysearthkeepers.com to print off an
application form or call 912-729-1103.

www.stmarysearthkeepers.com
http://www.stmarysearthkeepers.com/

Oli Slick Update

Once again the citizens of Camden County have answered the call for
help and, on behalf of the St. Marys EarthKeepers and our city, I
thank you.

The Tribune & Georgian article can be found at http://www.tribune-
georgian.com/articles/2010/05/05/news/top_stories/1topstory5.5.txt

We now have over 100 volunteers who have signed on to pitch in if
needed (some of whom are willing to go to the Gulf should we be
called to do so). In the next week or so, the GaVOAD will supply us
with the necessary HAZWOPER information - and the Gulf agencies with
whom we are registered as volunteers are in constant contact as they
assess the situation and set up training camps.

Oceanographic and meteorological experts can only "guesstimate" as to
the possibility of the slick entering the Gulf Loop current...
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/05/05/05greenwire-unpredictable-
current-is-wild-card-in-gulf-dis-51911.html?pagewanted=1

Many experts maintain that it is not an "if" scenario, but "when"...
"If the slick contacts the so-called Loop sea current, the oily sheen
could eventually be carried to Miami in southern Florida, or as far
as North Carolina's barrier islands, warned Robert Weisberg, a
physical oceanographer at the University of South Florida. "Exactly
when the oil will enter the Loop Current at the surface is unknown,
but it appears to be imminent," Weisberg said, referring to the
prevailing current in the Gulf."

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6430AR20100505?
feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_
campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%
29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Should the worse happen - the oil and disperants become caught in the
Gulf Loop - it will be an "all hands on deck" situation for
Cumberland Island and the most pressing need at that point will be to
clear the 17 miles of beaches of all man-made and natural debris (in
order to facilitate more effective clean-up). But we, as a community,
are blessed by willing hands and we will be as prepared as it is
possible to be.

I thank you...and ask for your patience and prayers. I know that so
many are aching to help in some way now, but we must let nature
dictate our actions and wait for the knowledgeable agencies in the
Gulf (and our own state) to direct us. I shan't burden your inboxes
with up-dates as we all watch and wait but I will, most assuredly,
contact you all if the "worst-case-scenario" occurs.

Alex

Alex Kearns
Chair
St. Marys EarthKeepers, Inc.
Office: 912-673-6120
Cell: 912-322-7367
Email: alexkearns1@msn.com

oil spill eco disaster

>
> The death toll is already mounting. Sea turtles have washed up
> along the Louisiana shoreline in Breton National Wildlife Refuge.
> Tragically, this is the nesting season for most sea turtles and the
> migratory season for countless species of birds.
> From a slick that is now the size of Puerto Rico (and growing by
> the hour), long tendrils of oil sheen have already made their way
> into South Pass, a major channel through the salt marshes of
> Louisiana's southeastern boot heel - a breeding ground for crab,
> oysters, shrimp, redfish and other species.
> The Deepwater Horizon well is at the end of one branch of the Gulf
> Stream, the warm-water current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico
> to the North Atlantic. Several experts have stated that if the oil
> enters the stream, it will flow around the southern tip of Florida
> and up the eastern seaboard.
> "It will be on the East Coast of Florida in almost no time. I don't
> think we can prevent that. It's more of a question of when rather
> than if," says Hans Graber, executive director of the University of
> Miami's Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing.
> If the spill enters the Gulf Stream Loop, which looks quite likely
> at this point, it will imperil the entire eastern seaboard. It will
> be volunteers that salvage what can be from this heartbreaking
> devastation. I have compiled a list of those who have offered to
> travel to the site of the spill as well as registering us with the
> Audubon Society and the Mobile Baykeepers. They will contact us
> when the training centers are set up.
> We must be prepared to assist with Cumberland Island efforts should
> the worst-case-scenario occur and the slick enter the Loop. Please
> let me know, via alexkearns1@msn.com, if you would be able to help
> out, either in the Gulf or locally (should it be required). I would
> ask you to, please, forward this email as you see fit.
>
>
>
>
>

Great American Cleanup

>
> PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN.
>
>
> Volunteers Needed for 2010 Great American Cleanup May 8
>
> ST. MARYS, GA—Looking to make our community cleaner, Keep Camden
> Beautiful and other organizations throughout the county are
> participating in the May 8 Great American Cleanup and are calling
> for volunteers to make a difference.
> This year's theme, "Green Starts Here," is a rallying call to
> encourage people of all ages and walks of life to begin creating
> more sustainable communities through their efforts as volunteers
> and through their daily choices and actions. It also reflects Keep
> America Beautiful's long legacy of community improvement activities.
> Camden County volunteers are asked to show up at 8 a.m. on
> Saturday, May 8, at the east end of the Waterfront Park in St.
> Marys, or at Howard Peeples Park in Kingsland. There, they will
> receive bags, gloves, and assigned areas.
> This year's Great American Cleanup is expected to rally more than 3
> million volunteers throughout America, picking up litter on public
> lands and around waterways. In Camden County, all three cities, the
> county, and several organizations including St. Marys EarthKeepers,
> The Camden County Chamber of Commerce, St. Marys Kiwanis, and
> others are joining Keep Camden Beautiful organizers.
> "Community greening began with the beautification movement of the
> 1950s and 60s, and even then, Keep America Beautiful was leading
> the charge," said Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep
> America Beautiful. "Today, we realize that these efforts don't
> just create beautiful places, they create a healthier environment,
> build stronger communities, inspire sustainable behaviors, motivate
> people to volunteer service, and improve quality of life. The Great
> American Cleanup captures the energy and enthusiasm of today's
> powerful and growing green movement."
> In 2009, more than 3 million volunteers in 32,000 communities took
> part in the Great American Cleanup, collecting 64 million pounds of
> litter and debris, much of which was recycled. More than 243
> million plastic bottles and 6.9 million pounds of electronics were
> collected; volunteers kept 14.5 million pounds of aluminum and
> steel out of landfills, and 36 million pounds of newspaper were
> collected for recycling as well.
> Anyone interested in participating in the Keep Camden Beautiful
> Great American Cleanup should show up at either the east end of St.
> Marys Waterfront Park or at Howard Peeples Park at 8 a.m. on
> Saturday, May 8, or call Elaine Headley at 912-882-4415 for more
> information.

Free Reusable Bags

The St. Marys EarthKeepers will be giving away
FREE RE-USABLE BAGS
AT LOCAL GROCERY STORES next week. Here's the schedule:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH AT WALMART—10 am to Noon
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH AT HARVEY'S—10 am to Noon
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH AT WINN-DIXIE—10 am to Noon
Please drop by one of these three days and help us reduce the use of
plastic bags in our community. Here are the details:

In an effort to help reduce the use of plastic and paper grocery
bags, the St. Marys EarthKeepers are partnering with three local
grocery stores to give away re-usable bags to store customers. For
two hours each day from November 16 through November 18, EarthKeeper
volunteers will hand out bags and, in return, request only that the
customer try to remember to use the bags instead of the disposable
plastic and grocery bags.

Every year, Americans throw away more than 100 billion plastic
grocery bags, which can clog drains, crowd landfills, and leave an
unsightly blot on the landscape. In addition to burdening our
landfills, these bags—tossed into waterways or washed down storm
drains—are the major source of human-related debris on the seabed,
particularly near coastlines. At least 267 different species of
wildlife are known to have suffered from entanglement or ingestion of
marine debris. Plastics and other synthetic materials cause the most
problems for marine animals and birds.
The environmental cost of plastic bags is immense: they are derived
from a non-renewable resource; they never break down completely; they
strangle wildlife; they deface our streets, and they clog single
stream recycling machinery. Thankfully, retailers such as WalMart
have made sustainability a priority and even host their own recycling
centers.
"We are so pleased to have the invaluable assistance of such
businesses as WalMart, Harvey's and Winn-Dixie as we try to spread
the 'reduce, re-use, recycle' message," said Alex Kearns, Chair of
St. Marys EarthKeepers. "Their generous donation of all the re-usable
bags for the November giveaway campaign and Publix' contribution of
re-usable bags for distribution at special events is of great help as
our community strives to address the pressing problem of plastic bag
use."
The public is invited to come to the three grocery stores to pick up
a free re-usable bag on November 16, 17 and 18.

Rock Shrimp Parade

We need you! The St. Marys EarthKeepers will be marching in the
upcoming October 3 Rock Shrimp Parade, and we're looking for a real
strong turnout so that we can show our town we're all still
passionate about living green. We'd like as many children to join us
as possible as well. We'll feature our marchers in the next issue of
St. Marys Magazine. Please let me know if you can join us. The parade
starts at 10:00 am but organizers require us to get there earlier
(9:15 latest). I look forward to hearing from you. Also, we need a
couple of people who would be willing to help place our recycling
containers early that morning.

Memory Garden

In January of 2009 it came to the EarthKeepers' attention that City Council intended to pave a large greenspace beside historic Oak Grove Cemetery in order to create a little-needed parking lot. In the process of this, more than 40 trees would be destroyed.

Summoning public support the EarthKeepers, through a letter-writing campaign and persuasive speeches, prevailed upon Council to abandon the plan. Instead we proposed the creation of a Memory Garden for all citizens – and Council agreed with the provision that it be built at absolutely no cost to the city. Thus began the search for help from the residents and businesses of St. Marys. Swiftly others leapt to offer assistance: advice, materials and expertise.

 

Due to the generously-donated services of our local media, a neighborhood greenhouse, landscapers, bricklayers, the gift of the gazebo from the EarthKeepers Chair and the considerable sweat of EarthKeepers' members, the Memory Garden was completed and formally dedicated by Mayor Rowland Eskridge on July 11^th, 2009.

 

The Memory Garden, with its spacious gazebo (wheelchair access/interior benches) and surrounding landscaping, now provides a place for our historic cemetery's pre or post-service gatherings, a lovely greenspace for our downtown area, and a peaceful oasis of rest and reflection for our citizens. Leading from the gazebo is a brick pathway upon which citizens are invited to have the names of loved ones (including beloved pets) inscribed upon the bricks. By August over 150 bricks had been inscribed and installed (and orders continue to pour in), creating a true "Tribute Pathway".

 

Total cost to the City – zero. The value to the citizens – immeasurable. 

Memory Bricks

The St. Marys EarthKeepers are about to place another order for
commemorative bricks to be placed in the Tribute Pathway of the
Memory Garden. This is a great time to order your brick if you have
not already done so. Whether you want to honor someone important in
your life now or memorialize loved ones (including beloved pets) who
are no longer with us, the commemorative bricks are a unique gift
that will be treasured for years to come. We'll be placing the order
by week's end, so please go to www.stmarysearthkeepers.com and fill
out the form. Send me an email to let me know it's coming and I'll
make sure it's included in the next order. Thanks so much.

Invitation to Memory Garden Dedication

The St. Marys EarthKeepers
Request The Honor of Your Presence
At the Dedication of
The St. Marys Memory Garden
Saturday, July 11
10:00 a.m.
The Memory Garden is located at the corner of
St. Marys Street & Bartlett Street
(south side of Oak Grove Cemetery)
912-729-1103
Please visit www.stmarysearthkeepers.com for information regarding
commemorative bricks in the Tribute Pathway.

July 4th Parade

If you've never marched in a parade, you're missing out on lots of
fun. Please join the St. Marys EarthKeepers this Saturday and march
with us in the July 4th Parade in Downtown St. Marys. Let me know if
you can march with us and I will give you the details. Parade starts
at 10 am, but we must line up earlier. Thank you so much.