To read the official article please visit Oscoda Area Schools website here.
“Adopt-a-BeachTM is the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ premier volunteer program, with some 10,000 participants ranging from individuals and families to schools and businesses. The teams collect information and enter it into the Adopt-a-BeachTM online system, where it is used to educate the public, share with local beach authorities and improve beaches.” (http://www.greatlakes.org/adoptabeach)
Sixty-nine seventh grade students from Oscoda High School provided their community with a valuable service by cleaning up the Ausable Township Beach Park on Wednesday, September 24th students collected and removed 81 pounds of trash from this beach. Through this field trip, our students gained a better understanding of their role in the impacts people have on the quality of water that flows through their watershed system.
A special thank you to our school’s local partners through the Northeast Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, Helen-Ann Prince, Michigan State University Extension agent, and Harriett Smith, the Education Specialist from the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary for providing their experience and knowledge to assist Oscoda students with various questions on watershed management.
Funding and resources for this field trip were provided by the Northeast Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, NOAA B-Wet programs, NOAA Thunder Bay National Heritage Marine Sanctuary, and the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Historical data for the Ausable Township Park located at:http://www.greatlakesadopt.org/Home/HistoricalData
Student Reflection on Trip: “My experience at the beach clean-up was excellent! We had, luckily, picked a warm day. The sun was shining and the air was clear. I was also in a group with my best friend, Tristann. My group, unfortunately, picked up a whole lot of trash. We picked up 46 cigarette butts and 6 food wrappers. It was actually a little irritating to see all of the garbage that people had just left to ruin the environment. However, I did over-all enjoy my experience, and I am glad I took up the opportunity to help the community.” A healthy beach is a happy beach.
Sydney Lopez, 7th grade student, Oscoda High School