On Saturday, July 20, Education Specialist Rick Ranew is holding “A Sharp Edge,” a paddling cleanup of the eastern bayous and boat launches of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), a part of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. The cleanup is July’s Adventure Quencher event and will be held from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
At the end of the month, marine educators from across the country will be converging on south Mississippi and Alabama for the National Marine Educators Association annual meeting being held in Mobile, Al., and the NERR will be one of the group’s field trips so participants can learn about the coastal habitat.
“This international conference gives Mississippi the chance to put a spotlight on some of our most beautiful coastal habitats,” said Jennifer Buchanan, education coordinator for NERR. “This cleanup gives us the opportunity to make our area look its best.”
Those who want to help with the cleanup on the kayaks must pre-register for one of the 12 spots on NERR’s kayaks or they can bring their own kayak or canoe. People who don’t want to be in the water can help clean up the roadsides and parking areas.
NERR will provide trash bags and vinyl gloves, but participants are encouraged to bring their own garden/utility gloves. Those helping with the cleanup must wear closed-toe shoes – no flip-flops or open-toed Teva-type water shoes are permitted.
Participants also should bring bottled water, sunscreen, bug spray, a hat and long-sleeve shirt. Everyone in a kayak must wear a life jacket, and children weighing less than 90 pounds must bring their own appropriately sized life jackets.
Grand Bay NERR’s Coastal Resources Center is located at 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, Miss., 39562. For directions, go to www.grandbaynerr.org.
For more information or to pre-register, call Jennifer at 228-475-7047 or email her at jen.buchanan@dmr.ms.gov.
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