Council approves Adopt The Beach program
An environmental and informational program instituted by the Marine Resources Task Force has received approval to officially begin on the beachfront of Estero Island.
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council granted MRTF committee members to go forward with its Adopt The Beach program – an all-volunteer effort that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the beaches of Estero Island by the maintenance of each beach access on the island.
Town officials are now looking to secure positions to access openings by asking community members or organizations to join the beachfront effort by becoming a “Beach ambassador” or by making a donation to help fund further work.
MRTF member Tree Andre reported that volunteers have committed to more than half of the many Beach accesses on the island so far. She hopes more will step up for an island-wide commitment.
“This is clearly not an enforcement group. We are there to very kindly talk to people about wrack line, don’t feed the birds, keep your dog on a leash, pick up your trash, recycle, directions, etc.,” said Andre.
Those interested in becoming Beach ambassadors are required to attend an instructional and safety training session at Town Hall in Council Chambers next Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 5 p.m.
“Most of the people who have signed up for the accesses are on the beach all the time,” said Andre. “I think we have a bit of a problem on the beach with people not respecting the beach the way it needs to be respected. I think this is an opportunity for us to gently explain to people why (they cannot do what they think they can).”
Volunteer t-shirts will be handed out to those ambassadors who commit to patrol and represent their beach area a minimum of once a week for 12 months of service.
“I think it makes it much easier to approach people on the beach, introduce ourselves, explain why we are there and why we are talking to them about the issues on the beach,” said Andre about wearing the t-shirts.
The program was discussed during a recent joint session between Council and MRTF. It has been unofficially going on since the 1990s.
According to Town records, keeping the island beaches clean and safe is an economic as well as environmental priority. Coastal tourism and commercial fishing, together multi-billion dollar industries, demand clean beaches and a healthy Gulf to thrive.
The Fort Myers Beach “Adopt the Beach” program strives to:
– raise public awareness about the danger of live shelling and dune management
– educate citizens about the source of debris
– generate public support for local action to clean up coastal waters
– encourage pride, responsibility and ownership of our beach
The Adopt the Beach program is a great way to do your part in keeping Fort Myers Beach clean. A clean beach is not only pleasant for people, but safer for beach wildlife as well.
For more information or to see if your favorite area of beach is available for adoption, contact Andre at 233-8542 or Town of Fort Myers Beach Environmental Science Coordinator Keith Laakkonen at 765-0202 (ext. 136).