I was so dismayed yesterday afternoon to see so much trash left on Seaside beach. There were cups and water bottles everywhere, it looked like the aftermath of a concert. I haven't seen this much garbage left behind in Grayton or Blue Mountain and wonder if some of the renters and homeowners in Seaside just figure they are paying for a beach cleaning service as well and don't need to pick up after themselves. Harm to the ocean ecosystem aside, the trash sends a terrible message to our visitors (even if visitors left it). How do we get the message across?
Replies
29
Beach Lover
Sadly, I think Mack is right ... the root of the problem is an internal one that we ultimately only have control of in ourselves. And I think it's right to be angry at the apathy, my suggestion however, is this: "Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil w/good."(Rom.12:21) There's a lot of good ideas in this thread. People really do learn by example and 'know' when they're doing something wrong (or else that family wouldn't be 'looking' around before they locked their SUV, and later moved it ;-)).
So the more people see others in the act of 'caring' about our beaches, the more those careless attitudes are confronted w/an opportunity to change. Unfortunately, even if stricter laws are passed, you can't 'force' people to care ... but you can create an atmosphere that causes a chance for change.
There's power in our actions. If someone vacationing who's 'people watching' notices someone else walking the beach, picking up trash, and filling holes, it makes a difference. I think the majority of people honestly may not even realize they're being careless, they may just be internally numb. The 'me' mentality creates that...so, all it may take is seeing someone else being caring and aware to snap them out of it (at least while they're on our beaches anyway!
)
Just my thoughts! ... and I'm technically not even a 'SoWal-er' yet! My first visit to these beaches almost a year ago really touched me b/c of how 'untouched' they are compared to other beaches I've been too...so immediately, I felt privileged to even be there to see it, and feel even more responsible to take care of it.
So the more people see others in the act of 'caring' about our beaches, the more those careless attitudes are confronted w/an opportunity to change. Unfortunately, even if stricter laws are passed, you can't 'force' people to care ... but you can create an atmosphere that causes a chance for change.
There's power in our actions. If someone vacationing who's 'people watching' notices someone else walking the beach, picking up trash, and filling holes, it makes a difference. I think the majority of people honestly may not even realize they're being careless, they may just be internally numb. The 'me' mentality creates that...so, all it may take is seeing someone else being caring and aware to snap them out of it (at least while they're on our beaches anyway!
)Just my thoughts! ... and I'm technically not even a 'SoWal-er' yet! My first visit to these beaches almost a year ago really touched me b/c of how 'untouched' they are compared to other beaches I've been too...so immediately, I felt privileged to even be there to see it, and feel even more responsible to take care of it.
Beach Fanatic
Sadly, I think Mack is right ... the root of the problem is an internal one that we ultimately only have control of in ourselves. And I think it's right to be angry at the apathy, my suggestion however, is this: "Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil w/good."(Rom.12:21) There's a lot of good ideas in this thread. People really do learn by example and 'know' when they're doing something wrong (or else that family wouldn't be 'looking' around before they locked their SUV, and later moved it ;-)).
So the more people see others in the act of 'caring' about our beaches, the more those careless attitudes are confronted w/an opportunity to change. Unfortunately, even if stricter laws are passed, you can't 'force' people to care ... but you can create an atmosphere that causes a chance for change.
There's power in our actions. If someone vacationing who's 'people watching' notices someone else walking the beach, picking up trash, and filling holes, it makes a difference. I think the majority of people honestly may not even realize they're being careless, they may just be internally numb. The 'me' mentality creates that...so, all it may take is seeing someone else being caring and aware to snap them out of it (at least while they're on our beaches anyway!
Just my thoughts! ... and I'm technically not even a 'SoWal-er' yet! My first visit to these beaches almost a year ago really touched me b/c of how 'untouched' they are compared to other beaches I've been too...so immediately, I felt privileged to even be there to see it, and feel even more responsible to take care of it.
Well said .... though you may not technically be living in SoWal yet, it's clear you are a SoWal-er in spirit already ---
Beach Fanatic
Up on the state line, hubby and I have a weekend house/hurricane haven house in Paxton. It is LONG dirt road that we walk our dogs on. Yesterday we filled 4 tall kitchen garbage bags with trash! In about a 1/4 mile. The type of trash was typically stuff that is light and can blow out of the bed of a truck....and the usual beer cans/bottle. We'll see how long litter free lasts.
Beach Lover
Years ago, I remember seeing the 'Pitch In' insignia on things like garbage bins and pier entrances. A small advertisement to remind people to keep Florida clean went a long way. I don't see many little reminders like that in places now. In a lot of Florida State Parks there is a neet little notice for visitors upon entering. It always helped me remember to respect the environment. It says, 'Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. '
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.