How does everyday trash affect Florida’s natural environment and wildlife? A local exhibit is hoping to educate residents on that very subject.
Through the end of October, the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is hosting a free exhibit called “When Trash Meets the Sea.”
“We want to the local residents aware of the different sources of marine debris and we specifically use the word trash because much of what ends up in our bay, in our estuary, does come off the land,” said Jennifer Harper.
Harper, the Reserve manager, says the trash doesn’t just impact the water quality, it also negatively affects wildlife.
“One common piece of trash is disposable plastic bags that everybody uses for grocery bags,” she added. “As they end up in the ocean, they end up looking very much like jellyfish—which sea turtles feed upon—and of course, when the sea turtles consume the plastic bag, it often ends up in death. So, that’s one point we want to make...to bring awareness…encourage folks to use reusable grocery bags…several other points we’re trying to make are little things that folks can do to just keep the trash out of the bay.”
The exhibit will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Reserve Center in Eastpoint.
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