So lately I have done several cleanups, alone and with others. Either way, I am making an impact and so can you. From 2 pounds to 20,000, every single piece and pound matter.
Tag: fish
SEWE 2023
Over the weekend, I had the great honor of not only attending SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Exposition) but, introducing one of my heroes in wildlife conservation, Forrest Galante!
Being invited to such an event is inspiring on its own, but being able to meet and introduce a hero of mine and a person who has devoted his life to conservation is such an experience.
Weekends like this, when people want to hear what I have to say and know my voice matters, keeps me motivated to keep making changes and improving the world around me.
Clean up success!
Last weekend I hosted a cleanup for the new year. It was a great time meeting new people who care about our environment and our planet. We removed a little over 550 pounds.
Environmental Grant
I am so excited to say I was awarded a grant from Tennessee American Water. This funding will further my monofilament recycling project. I am hoping to expand this project into more state parks and hopefully national parks!
If you know of a spot with a lot of fishing and discarded fishing line, let me know me I will try to add a monofilament bin and address this problem.
Shark Tournament
I’m a few weeks on July 9th, if nothing is done, there will be a trophy tournament in Jupiter, Florida for sharks.
Over 250 species of shark are labeled as endangered, critically endangered, vulnerable or data deficient. That means we don’t know enough about them to say whether or not they are at risk of extinction yet.
This is so disheartening to know that some of these species will be killed for sport. They will be slaughtered, and while on the brink of extinction, it’s legal. How does this make sense? It doesn’t.
Please hope by signing this petition to get this senseless killing stopped. Fishing for food is not a terrible thing but this is sport. This is completely unnecessary and sickening. Our planet depends on species like sharks to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
https://www.change.org/p/help-cancel-shark-killing-tournament-in-jupiter-florida
World Oceans Day
Today, June 8th, is World Oceans Day. This is a day set aside to celebrate our ocean and it’s amazing biodiverse ecosystems. Oceans provide about 70% of the planets oxygen. Our blue planet needs help now more than ever. We just protect our oceans, land, and rivers. Without it, lire on land will cease to exist. Diving and being in the water, is my happy place. I was scuba certified when I was 10. I couldn’t wait to explore below the waves and see the animals I love in their natural habitat.
40!!!!
If you’ve been following along with me for a while, you know I’ve been partnering with Tennessee State parks. Recently, I went to Tim’s Ford, Edgar Evans & Rock island state park and now officially have 40 monofilament receptacles out! I am so excited this program is really taking off and spreading across our state. Our watersheds will be a little safer from excess fishing line and now it can properly be taken care of and recycled.
Visit to Capital Hill
Rally day for homeschoolers was in Nashville last week. This is an amazing way for young people to see how our government works first hand and I had the best day!
Not only did I see how our legislative processes work but I was able to meet with so many of my states influential leaders. My State Representative, Greg Vital of district 29 took his whole day to show me around and introduce me to some of the wonderful people leading Tennessee.
I learned SO MUCH, not only about government but our state in general. A special thank you to Secretary of State, Speaker of the House, State Comptroller and TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) for taking time out of their busy day to have just another Tennessee kid share my love for our state!
Tennessee State Parks
Recently, I’ve been contacting Tennessee State Parks and have now partnered with 4 to place monofilament recycling bins. These 14 bins placed between Booker. T Washington, Fall Creek Falls, Harrison Bay, & South Cumberland State park will collect fishing line to reduce this waste in our rivers and landfills. So happy to be able to work on this project which is funded by a grant from Youth Serving America & Hillshire Farms. How special, all of these were placed on World Water Day!
GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY
GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY
This is my simple recycling concept in under 10 seconds!
You can change the world your own way. This is one way I feel liken making a difference and I have some super exciting news coming in a few weeks! So many more of these monofilament receptacles are going out with the help of individuals, grants and money I’ve made from recycling.
The Conservation Kid 