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PITCH IN
and
sea
REAL
CHANGE
WHY THIS MATTERS
LET'S BEACH
better,
TOGETHER
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates there are somewhere between 20 million and 1.8 billion pieces of plastic along the coastline of the United States, with the number likely at the upper end of this range.
"
"
-Stephen Guertin
Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
MARINE DEBRIS
harms ANIMALS
Marine debris affects the life of many ocean animals through either ingestion or entanglements. Sea turtles, mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish, often end up eating them and blocking their digestive system which can lead to their death. And trash such as fishing lines and ropes can wrap around the fins and limbs of fish, whales, crustaceans, seabirds and other animals, affecting their ability to eat, move and care for their young.
MARINE DEBRIS
also HARMS HUMANS
When our oceans are polluted, it affects our health in many ways as well. Direct toxicity from plastics comes from lead, cadmium, and mercury--toxins that are dangerous for humans but are unfortunately found in more and more fish in the oceans. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) contained in some plastics, is a toxic carcinogen, and other toxins in plastics are directly linked to cancers, birth defects, immune system problems, and childhood developmental issues.
There's also the secondary effect of economic loss caused by marine debris. Unsightly beaches create problems for local tourism, massive debris can cause damage to vessels and when the marine life dwindles in places where fishing is a major economic player, it can affect the lives of families and entire communities.
MARINE DEBRIS TAKES A REALLY,
really LONG TIME TO GO AWAY
DEBRIS ITEM
DECOMPOSITION RATE
Glass Bottle
1 million years
Fishing Line
600 years
Plastic Bottle
450 years
Aluminum Can
200 years
Cigarette Butt
&
Filter
1-50 years
Apple Core
2 months
LUCKILY, pitching-in to HELP KEEP PORT ARANSAS' BEACHES SAFE & BEAUTIFUL is QUITE easY
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Step 1
Pick up a yellow reusable trash bag, kindly provided by Keep Port Aransas Beautiful, at any of the following beach markers: E, I, 0, 1, 17, 19, 25, 34, 39, 42, 43, 59, 62, 99
Step 2
Toss your newly collected trash into any of the available Port Aransas Trash Cans on the beach.
Step 3
Document your good deed with a photo of you or your team and post it on Instagram to spread the word!
PiPA IS a registered nonprofit organization created to help keep the beaches of Port Aransas beautiful.
WHO WE ARE
DR. MARILYN GOODWIN
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Ever since she was 5 years old, Dr. Marilyn Goodwin and her family would pack up the car and make the long trip from East Texas down to the beaches of Port Aransas for some of her most memorable vacations. So when she and her husband recently built their dream home in Cinnamon Shore, she was able to reconnect with the ocean and her childhood memories once more.
Being a near full time resident now, Marilyn spends a lot of time walking the beaches and meeting people from all over. She’s been happy to discover that nearly everyone we speak with is happy to “pitch in” and help keep the beaches clean. Parents love the idea of instilling global consciousness in their children, and all visitors and residents appreciate returning to a beautiful clean beach that is safe for both humans and marine life. It's a win-win situation for port A's residents as well as visitors, which is exactly as it should be.
LAURA JUDD, M.ED
President
Laura has been a global beachcomber during her lifetime, but she always returns to her Texas roots; the Texas gulf, where her husband, grandchild, and children continue to surf, gather shells, fish, and reconnect with friends and each other. She’s known Port Aransas since it was just a bait shop and a few fishing shacks. Port Aransas Beach today enjoys a greater population of tourists and residents which leaves a larger footprint on the environment. Laura is committed to helping beach lovers to reconnect to what they love and help it thrive by “pitching in” and keeping our beach safe and clean.
STEPHANIE HAMM
Marketing Director
Stephanie brings expertise from the business world to advise and create marketing opportunities for PIPA. She also is one of our beach ambassadors, who helps pass out yellow bags to visitors on the beach and spread the word about “pitchin in”.In addition, Stephanie was the first donor to our cause. Thanks, Stephanie!
THEA WILSON & BELLA HAMM
Social Media Directors
Thea and Bella provide all of our pizazz with their expertise in social media and enthusiasm. (check out our Instagram) Thea and Bella, Marilyn’s granddaughters, both have full time careers in different cities, but love to get together with us and help build PIPA by visiting with beach families, passing out bags, adding young brains’ perspectives, and keeping out Instagram site fresh and current.
SOPHIE GOODWIN
Mascot
Meet the newest member, Sophie Goodwin, our official PIPA mascot!
MEMBERSHIPS
MEMBERSHIP
Simply click below to join us in our quest to keep the beaches of Port Aransas free of litter and beautiful for all to enjoy.
CONTACT
"My soul is full of longing
for the secret of the sea,
and the heart of the great ocean
sends a thrilling pulse through me."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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