One of Save-A-Turtle’s Board Members and long time volunteer, Jen DeMaria, recently spent some time at Dry Tortugas National Park. She said she feels like the trash situation has been ramping up out there compared to her previous visits which started a few years ago. Jen said “upon arrival I immediately noticed trash along the shoreline, and also caught in the wrack. It’s disheartening to be in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen on Earth, and finding not just some, but a surprising amount of trash. I found caps, line, rope, plastic bottles, wrappers, plastic bags, several shoes, and of course microplastics.” Borrowing a reusable backpack from a friend, she cleaned a short strip of beach near Bush Key, filling the bag in mere minutes. Save-A-Turtle volunteers are everywhere, and are always trying to create positive change for the environment, sea turtles and other wildlife. Jen’s tip? “Don’t go ANYWHERE without a decent sized cloth or mesh bag to collect trash! I will never again leave home without one, and certainly my next trip to the Tortugas I will have probably 2 packed!"
Pictured below: Save-A-Turtle board member & volunteer, Jen DeMaria, beach cleaning at Dry Tortugas National Park. Notice the abundance of nesting birds in the closed area of Bush Key which could be adversely impacted by washed in garbage.
