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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 26 September 2006 SUBJECT: Unprecedented Beach Cleanup
Saturday, September 23 rd The Good Hope School community cleaned the Sandy Point beach to preserve St. Croix 's coastline, protect turtles and nesting birds, and make a global statement. Approximately 75 individuals including faculty, students, family and friends of Good Hope dedicated their morning to Coastweeks, an effort organized through The Ocean Conservancy to clean up coasts all over the globe. Amy Mackay, a US Fish and Wildlife Outreach Coordinator, was on site to help volunteers. The Good Hope team was the largest group to have cleaned Sandy Point at one time. It was an extraordinary turnout; 66 garbage bags were filled and taken away along with a vast amount of other marine debris including numerous tires. 3,720 meters were combed which roughly translates to nearly two and a half miles. The most significant and exciting aspect of the efforts' success was that St. Croix's peak nesting season for Green and Hawksbill Turtles happens right now. Removal of marine debris from the largest nesting beach on island means a safer environment for endangered turtles. Garbage not only can cause entanglement as the mother turtle comes ashore to nest but it attracts predators such as mongoose and feral dogs. One 7 th grader commented, "Even though it was hot and early I am glad I did it, it's cool to think all over the world people are doing the same thing, everyone trying to make the environment cleaner." Class participation in Coastweeks is an important aspect of Good Hope School 's emphasis on community service. GHS promotes ocean awareness education at all grade levels. The Saturday, Sandy Point cleanup, is a push to extend this learning to family and friends. The beach cleanups give students an opportunity to play a valuable role in the preservation of St. Croix 's natural environment.
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