We’ve all seen it: Unsightly and harmful piles of plastic bottles, trash and other debris
floating in the water and on the shoreline.
It’s an increasing problem, rearing its head as cosmetic eyesores along
shorelines, and silently killing marine animals and ecosystems below the
water’s surface.
Thankfully, there’s an increasing awareness forming;
educating and alerting the public to the harmful impact of debris and what can
be done to mitigate it.
Supporting US based marine cleanup efforts, NOAA’s Marine
Debris Program has announced their 10th annual “Community-based
Marine Debris Removal Grant Opportunity.”
In 2015 they awarded almost 1.4 million dollars between 13 organizations
to support water clean-up projects. This year, the NOAA Marine Debris
Program is prepared to award 2 million dollars to “locally-driven, marine
debris assessment and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat,
waterways and NOAA trust resources”.
This grant opportunity comes from the Marine Debris Program within
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Their mission is to
increase public awareness and education of marine debris issues to identify and
prevent debris pollution in our water sources. Whether you’re concerned about
marine debris affecting aquatic underwater life, or the visible shoreline
blemishes above water, opportunities like these are crucial for local
initiatives to drive action and awareness.
You can read more here on NOAA’s Blog:
(For more about the effects of water pollution and
prevention, see: water pollution solutions)
If, like GEI Works, your organization is dedicated to the conservation
of marine habitats, waterway cleanup efforts, or raising public education and
awareness on the importance of debris removal, we encourage you to apply for
this funding!
GEI Works, Inc. manufactures products that work, including innovative
and custom products for the protection of marine environments. If we can be of assistance, please don’t
hesitate to contact us.
772.646.0597
