Funds to Support Marine Debris Removal from Shores of Olympic National Park, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
(Seattle, Washington) October 29, 2014 – The Student Conservation Association (SCA) has received $80,000 in NOAA Community-based Marine Debris Removal funds from the National Marine Fisheries Service, a unit of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Working in partnership with Olympic National Park and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, an SCA intern will assist the sites with debris removal planning and logistics and engage local communities in large scale volunteer efforts throughout the year. In addition, during the summer of 2015, four crews of SCA high school students will remove marine debris from remote, high priority beaches of the Park and the Marine Sanctuary, including Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve in nearby Port Townsend.
In her grant support letter, Olympic National Park Superintendent M. Sarah Creachbaum stated “These efforts will improve the ecologic and scenic integrity of over seventy miles of wild Pacific Ocean coastline that is shared with the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. As a result, diverse wildlife resources including critical, sensitive and endangered species will be better protected and the public’s enjoyment of the coast will be improved.”
“I am so pleased NOAA is investing in SCA’s ability to build partnerships and engage young people interested in learning about the impacts of ocean debris, and then to roll up their sleeves to do something about it,” says Jay A. Satz, SCA’s regional Vice President. “This funding will permit SCA to broaden our reach in attracting young people from communities around the park and Seattle, to leverage the support of other groups and funders committed to supporting mitigating the destructive effects of marine debris, and most importantly, remove tons of this debris from these wilderness beaches.”
Other partners in this habitat restoration project include the Washington Coastal Clean Alliance, Washington Conservation Corps, NatureBridge, the Marine Resources Committee and Washington’s CoastSavers.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) transforms lives and lands to ensure America’s natural legacy. SCA empowers young people from every corner of the nation to plan, act, and lead while they protect and restore our natural and cultural resources. SCA members provide two million hours of service each year, from national parks to leading cities, to aid endangered species, conduct field research, provide environmental education and more.
Founded in 1957, SCA launched the nation’s youth conservation movement with the promise to build new generations of conservation leaders. Today, analyses show SCA’s hands-on engagement creates thriving youth by enhancing personal growth, inspiring lifelong stewardship, and providing pathways to productive careers. And seven in 10 of SCA’s 75,000 alumni worldwide remain active in conservation through their professions, studies or volunteer activities.
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