Destin Middle School Students take part in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project

Working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Education, students at Destin Middle School took part in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project by making and distributing 200 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins. These students are part of the DOEP's Learning in Florida's Environment (LIFE) program. LIFE is an initiative to establish a series of field-based, environmental-science, education programs around the state. It partners the Department of Environmental Protection's education office, with local school districts, and provides hands on opportunities to increase student achievement and teacher development in science related fields.

From April 20-22, over 100 middle school students, teachers, parents, Americorp Volunteers, and DOEP staff assembled the 200 recycling bins while learning about the importance of preventing marine debris and teaching others to recycle their used fishing line. These recycling bins were then distributed on April 30th at the annual Choctawhatchee Estuary Festival, which was held at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, FL. Those involved reported that everyone who received the bins were enthusiastic about using them to help store their used fishing line and protect marine wildlife.

A special thanks to all of the youth and adults involved in this program who took part in The "Stow It-Don't Throw It Project. We would also like to thank the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for funding this initiative, and the staff at Destin Middle School for supporting our work! Click the link for more information about the Okaloosa County LIFE Program

Below are a few pictures of the youth and adults who participated in this effort: