Green Turtle Cay Clean-Up by Kelsi Farrington
Green Turtle Cay Cleans Up
If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. Aldo Leopold, Round River, 1993.
Reef Relief Founders.com
My name is Kelsi Farrington, I am a grade 12 student at Forest Heights Academy and have written this article about the island wide cleanup that was held on March 15th, 2008 on Green Turtle Cay. The cleanup was organized by the Reef Relief members on the island, Ms. Joanie Freeman and Mr. Dave Redding.
As spring has begun to slowly appear on Green Turtle Cay, you will see very few pieces of garbage on the sides of the road and beaches. The town on New Plymouth was thoroughly cleaned by the very enthusiastic students of Amy Roberts Primary School ranging in age from 5 to 11 years old on the 12th of March. They were taught the valuable lesson of where to put their trash either in the nearest garbage can or hold it with them until they find somewhere to throw it away. They are also being taught to be proud of the environment in which they live.
Local cleanups occur on the island although not in quite a while has one been as successful and with such helpful volunteers as this latest one.
On the 15th of March various local businesses and organizations cleaned specific areas of the island. Members of The Anglican Church led by Father Ottrey cleaned Gilliam Bay which is a beautiful beach that is sadly eroding quite rapidly. The Miracle Church of God was led by Bishop Johnny Lowe and Rueben McIntosh who cleaned up a portion of Ocean Beach which is on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island and is constantly littered by trash that is washed up on the beach. The local Anchor Club students of Forest Heights Academy: Margo Lowe, Breanna Lowe, and myself cleaned the middle part of Ocean Beach. Between us three girls we gathered about 12 bags of trash in about 2 hours. Mr. Hubert Pinder, a local hairdresser along with his faithful dog Champ, cleaned the last section of the beach and we thank him very much for his great job of picking up trash. A very special thanks also to Mr. Jonathan Curry for gathering the multitude of garbage bags the three groups of Ocean Beach filled and carried them to the dump in the back of his truck all on his free time.
The Gospel Chapel led by Mr. Randy Curry cleaned the main road of the island very successfully as not one piece of garbage can be seen even now. Long Bay Beach and community basketball court was cleaned by the GTC Community Fellowship Church led by Mr. Jr. Roberts and his group whom were also very enthusiastic to clean the area. The island off of Green Turtle Cay, named Munjack is a popular place to go picnicking for all Green Turtle Cay inhabitants. Brendal's Dive Center takes tourists on trips to Munjack and has done a lot to keeping it as clean as possible. The owners Brendal and Mary Stevens took garbage cans there and put up signs around the island which clearly say: "Whatever you bring here, take back with you" quite some time ago. They also cleaned up Munjack on the 15th of March and we wish to thank them so much for constantly maintaining Munjack, a small gem of Abaco few know of but many enjoy.
We also have to thank Green Turtle Club who placed garbage bins along the Atlantic Beach a few years ago and every week they ensure that they are emptied.
Reef Relief who organized the island cleanup day is encouraging Green Turtle Cay to "keep it up" and for the local adults to "pass the torch to their children and other kids of the island to make our island even more beautiful." Toursists often comment that Green Turtle Cay is a paradise and is always so clean so Project Tourism has introduced Reef Relief's new motto for Green Turtle Cay: "Keep Paradise Clean" which is a good phrase to abide by. As a graduating student I truly hope that the other local teens and kids will continue to give a helping hand to the environment and realize that it is necessity to keep your island clean. It is our home and we must keep it spotless for our own enjoyment as much as for tourists. This day of cleaning made me feel proud of Green Turtle Cay as we turned it a day but full of fun and a coming together as a community. It was a day joined by all who took part and for some was a family affair, a Saturday when the community came together for such a good cause is beautiful in itself. As for the results, we can say are truly astonishing since we managed to gather so many bags of trash on such a small island and I have never seen it as clean as it is today. Congratulations to everyone who helped on the island cleanup day whether big or small you made the day more enjoyable.
Reef Relief who organized the island cleanup day is encouraging Green Turtle Cay to "keep it up" and for the local adults to "pass the torch to their children and other kids of the island to make our island even more beautiful." Tourists often comment that Green Turtle Cay is a paradise and is always so clean so Project Tourism has introduced Reef Relief's new motto for Green Turtle Cay: "Keep Paradise Clean" which is a good phrase to abide by. As a graduating student I truly hope that the other local teens and kids will continue to give a helping hand to the environment and realize that it is necessity to keep your island clean. It is our home and we must keep it spotless for our own enjoyment as much as for tourists. This day of cleaning made me feel proud of Green Turtle Cay as we turned it a day but full of fun and a coming together as a community. It was a day joined by all who took part and for some was a family affair, a Saturday when the community came together for such a good cause is beautiful in itself. As for the results, we can say are truly astonishing since we managed to gather so many bags of trash on such a small island and I have never seen it as clean as it is today. Congratulations to everyone who helped on the island cleanup day whether big or small you made the day more enjoyable.
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