Pinellas County beach communities have teamed up to fly planes carrying banners this Fourth of July weekend. Their overall message to patriotic revelers: Please don’t trash our beaches.
"With an increase in visitors to our beach, we have seen a definite increase in trash and litter and it is very disturbing," Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard wrote in a press release. "Not only is it unsightly, but it also puts our marine life in danger.”
But Clearwater isn’t the only beach community pitching in to fly the messages over Tampa Bay. From Saturday-Monday, July 3-5, beachgoers on St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and Indian Shores will see three different aerial messages:
- Before posting pics to Twitter, pick up your litter.
- Protect sea turtles by flattening sandcastles and refilling holes.
- Leave no trace, put litter in the right place.
Leaving sandcastles intact and not refilling holes can pose a danger to sea turtles making their journey into the water after hatching. Endangered sea turtles nest on Florida’s beaches from March through October, and many lose their lives due to inconsiderate human behavior. Beachgoers are also reminded to not bother the sea turtle nests (which are usually sectioned off and marked as illegal to disturb) while enjoying the beach.
"We ask that everyone does their part to protect sea turtles and our beautiful beaches,” St. Pete Beach City Manager Alex Rey said. “This messaging is a great way to ask for that help."
People can also get injured when they fall into holes left on the beach, and holes pose a danger to emergency vehicles that need to use the beach to help those in need. Pinellas wants people to enjoy themselves, but to do so without totally wrecking some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.
"What better way to celebrate America than by reminding people about taking care of what makes us a unique American destination – our beautiful and pristine beaches," Treasure Island Mayor Tyler Payne said. "This collaborative effort at aerial messaging will hopefully motivate beachgoers to keep our beaches clean and sea turtles safe by being responsible and doing their part."
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This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2021.