June 3 forum aims to engage citizens in marine debris reduction
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SAN DIEGO, April 15, 2010- San Diego Coastkeeper, San Diego’s largest professional environmental organization working to protect coastal waters, will host its quarterly Signs of the Tide public forum on Thursday, June 3, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The event at the Encinitas Library Community Room, located at 540 Cornish Drive in Encinitas, includes a panel presentation followed by small group discussions regarding marine debris in San Diego, its impact on the ocean and what the city and community can do to help lessen the problem.
“Signs of the Tide are community events designed to educate, engage and empower participants in issues relating to the health of San Diego’s coastal waters,” said Coastkeeper Executive Director Bruce Reznik. “The majority of trash found in our ocean is made of plastics, which do not biodegrade and may take hundreds of years to sink or break up. Reducing marine debris is an important part of our mission to protect San Diego’s water and the health of the wildlife and people that depend on it.“
The June 3 Signs of the Tide will feature presentations from a panel consisting of Scripps Institution of Oceanography Scientist Miriam Goldstein, City of Santa Monica Environmental Analyst Josephine Miller, City of Encinitas Councilmember Teresa Barth and Regional Water Quality Control Board Assistant Executive Officer Jimmy Smith and moderated by Environmental Consultant and TV personality Loren Nancarrow. Attendees will then have an opportunity to engage in small group discussions to further delve into the topic.
Coastkeeper selected marine debris as its second topic to inform community members of the magnitude and impact of marine debris, discuss possible solutions and barriers to reduction, and educate citizens on the various ways to resolve this issue.
Coastkeeper scheduled its next Signs of the Tide on August 26—Cleaning Up San Diego Bay—and November 4—San Diego’s Water Supply. The meetings will rotate locations in San Diego. All events are free, open to the community and include light snacks and beverages.
For more information about Signs of the Tide, visit Coastkeeper’s website at localhost/sdcoastkeeper, and to RSVP email Sarah Blakeslee at [email protected].
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Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them. We balance community outreach, education, and advocacy to promote stewardship of clean water and a healthy coastal ecosystem.
