Donate $1 to Protect Marine Wildlife

This week, we are excited to launch our first online fundraising campaign! Through this effort you can help support youth as they work to protect marine wildlife and promote sustainable fishing practices through the “Stow It-Don’t Throw It” monofilament fishing line recycling program. Please consider making a $1 to the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project by visiting: http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_3ac9900c/wp_3ac9900c.html and clicking the "Donate" button!

By donating $1 this week, you will help provide youth involved in the, “Stow It-Don’t Throw It” Project the resources they need to combat the problems of improperly disposed of fishing line or gear! The “Stow It-Don’t Throw It” Project is designed to empower youth to work in partnership with environmental organizations in an effort to combat the dangers of improperly disposed of monofilament fishing line by making and distributing personal-sized fishing line recycling bins to anglers and boaters across Florida, as well as by educating the public on sustainable fishing practices.

Your $1 donation will:
- Provide materials to assemble one personal-sized fishing line recycling bin.
- Fund youth-driven educational outreach campaigns promoting responsible fishing practices, explaining the problems of over fishing, and teaching community members how to make ocean friendly consumer choices.
- Help provide educational training sessions to teach young people how to launch their own service projects to help protect marine and aquatic environments.

Remember the words of Dr. Seuss – “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing’s going to get better. It’s not.”

Thank you in advance for your support and please help spread the word! For more information on the “Stow It-Don’t Throw It” Project, and to view project updates, visit our website at www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org or "like" our Facebook page! If you have any questions feel free to contact project coordinator Sean Russell at srussell92@comcast.net.

The "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project partners with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

We're excited to announce that students at Destin Middle School involved in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's LIFE (Learning In Florida's Environment) Program will be taking part in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" project by assembling and distributing 200 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins. The LIFE program "is an initiative to establish a series of field-based, environmental-science, education programs around the state. Each program represents a partnership between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and a local school district. The goal of each LIFE Program site is increased student achievement and teacher professional development in science." A special thanks to the FL-DOEP's Education Office for providing the funding and support for this effort. You can view a report from the Destin Middle School LIFE site, which mentions the students preparation work for the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project by visiting the following link: http://gulfalliancediversity.org/files/GOMA_Okaloosa_semiannual_report_Mar_Sept_10.pdf

Check back soon for more updates on the work being carried out by these students!