Project CIT works to better the beach community

This summer, the Counselors-in-Training ("CITs") at The Watersports Camp are starting a new, exciting initiative to serve the community and contribute to the protection of San Diego’s beautiful beaches. In cooperation with San Diego Coastkeeper, “Project CIT” was created with the goal to clean up the Mission Bay beaches as a way to encourage ecological preservation and to keep the water clean for the enjoyment of beachgoers.  Each afternoon a group of Counselors-in-Training will spend time participating in beach clean-ups where they will pick up debris, remove harmful plants and weeds, and complete other similar tasks.  The group will keep tabs on the effect of their efforts through the use of tally cards, which will quantify and categorize the waste collected.  Alicia Glassco, Marine Debris Coordinator at San Diego Coastkeeper, explains that the tally cards are also an opportunity to educate volunteers about the types of trash that end up on the beach, and then communicate that information to local officials.

“It’s surprising to see the amount of debris that can be collected from the beach in a short period of time, especially once you start looking for the smaller pieces” says Alicia.  “People often are shocked to pick up 300 cigarette butts in a small stretch of beach or walkway.”

In addition to the tally cards, the CIT’s are assembling odd and interesting items for a “found items” display.  So far the display consists of some plastic army men and an antenna ball but it’s sure to increase in size and variety.

The group is excited about the chance to make a difference in the world in which they live, and the goal to keep their community, beaches, neighborhoods and world beautiful.  Explaining the importance of preserving our beaches to the CITs at this young age will allow them to develop sustainable practices and life-long awareness. 

For more information on San Diego Coastkeeper, please visit their website at http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/.