Mote Marine Lab High School Interns learn about The "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project!

On May 11th, "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project coordinator, Sean Russell, spoke to participants in the high school intern program at Mote Marine Laboratory about the project and the importance of preventing wildlife entanglement by properly disposing of monofilament fishing line. Participants in the program also discussed the problems associated with marine debris, as well as the importance of engaging youth in ocean conservation projects. These participants also assembled more than 40 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins which will be sent to groups considering participation in the project. A special thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory and their staff for their constant support of the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project and its work to mobilize youth to prevent marine debris and marine wildlife entanglement!

Osceola County 4-H Members Assemble personal-sized fishing line recycling bins!

Between the months of March, April, and May, 22 4-H members and volunteers in Osceola County's Plan and Do 4-H Club assembled and distributed approximately 400 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins in an effort to prevent marine wildlife entanglement. The materials for these recycling bins were funded by the Florida 4-H Community Pride Program with support from the Osceola County UF/IFAS Extension program. The completed recycling bins were distributed at the St. Cloud Spring Fling on April 2nd and at Education in the Park on May 7th. Participants involved in the project reported that the anglers and boaters who received the recycling bins told the 4-H members involved how they would put them to good use and would also ultimately use the larger recycling bins from the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program to properly dispose of their used fishing line. A special thanks to all of the 4-H members and volunteers who worked on this effort! Below are a few pictures of the youth involved: