We would like to say thanks to the students and parents who took the time to contribute to the International Coastal Clean Up on Saturday, either by participating or providing transportation. I know how tough it is to get up, or get a teen ager up, on the weekends sometimes... so whether you're a student or a parent, we really appreciate your time and effort!
Tampa Bay Watch proved to be an outstanding host providing gloves, trash bags and road side pick up for large debris and full bags. They also shared educational information, gave away T-shirts to all participants and coloring books to the younger members of our entourage.
We were rather disappointed the day of the event as only one student ended up at the Tampa Bay Watch location so we thought the others didn't make it. I was very pleased on Monday to have a group of students wear their t-shirts to school and others that showed me the documentation for their participation at the Fort DeSoto location.
 Another group of BCHS students had participated with Ms. Moskel the week earlier, so in the end it seems that we were very well represented!
Patricia joined my younger children, Connor and Elora and worked for two hours picking up debris along the Bay Way, and in the mangroves. I did my best to provide the entertainment by getting stuck up to my knees in the muck, sharing the story of Silas Dents, The Hermit of Cabbage Key, and talking about the habitat, it's value and vulnerability. Call me exciting (smiley here).
The major prizes of the day were salvaged at the shoreline but unfortunately much of the area would be accessible only by kayak and we had the muck to prove it. More cans, plastics and glass than one could have imagined... especially because it looks so clean when driving by.
 I did take a few pictures but didn't find out until I loaded them on the computer that there is something seriously wrong with my camera. The colors were way off and there were lines across all of the images. I'm guessing that I got some moisture in there and I'll be sure to have it fixed or have another before the next event. The images here are from Ms. Moskel's group at St. Pete Beach.
All in all it was a great day! We had a blast, made a difference and look forward to getting more involved for the next effort. Our hats are off to Tampa Bay Watch and Keep Pinellas Beautiful, as well as all of their volunteers for helping to organize and host such a fantastic event and facilitating the participation of so many in our area.
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