Marine Debris Monitoring Talks

Hillary Burgess in the field.

The Friends of Haystack Rock are hosting Jesse Jones, CoastWatch’s volunteer coordinator, and Hillary Burgess of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for an online discussion of marine debris and how to help to monitor it.  “Marine Debris Monitoring for Action in Oregon:  Outcomes and Opportunities of NOAA's Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project” on Wednesday, April 13, at 7 p.m.  The virtual event is free and open to all.

The presentation will describe how shoreline marine debris monitoring can be used to address this pollution problem, and how to get involved in NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project through CoastWatch. The Marine Debris Monitoring Action Plan  is a nationwide network of volunteers who contribute and use the data. Data collection follows a rigorous, well-tested protocol designed to document quantity and composition of shoreline marine debris greater than 2.5 cm.  Outcomes range from improved understanding of where and when marine debris accumulates, to assessment of legislation like bag bans and container deposits, to development of behavior change campaigns targeting source reduction of items like shotgun wads. The more data, the greater the impact. CoastWatch is actively seeking to set up more monitoring sites on the Oregon coast

CoastWatch, which Jesse Jones organizes, is volunteer-based shoreline adoption program, through which participants monitor a mile of the coast and in many cases engage in citizen science opportunities in their areas.  Based in Astoria, Jesse works with volunteers from the Columbia to the California border. CoastWatch is program of Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition. 

Hillary Burgess is the Monitoring Coordinator for NOAA's Marine Debris Program. She leads the Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project, and supports participation and data use around the world. Hillary is based in Seattle and will be familiar to many CoastWatchers from her former position as citizen science coordinator for COASST (the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team).  Her career and academic training have centered on public participation in conservation and environmental science.

View this discussion on Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfHaystackRock. For alternate viewing options, contact fohrap@gmail.com.