Downunder Kayaking

Press Release September 2008

Kayak to Save the Sound

Volunteers needed for Local Beach Cleanups

Paddlers, Boaters and Beach Roamers

In September 2008 thousands of proactive citizens worldwide will band together in an annual effort to clean up their beaches during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).  The effort is spearheaded by the Ocean Conservancy and coordinated in CT by Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment. Volunteers will collect, remove and record data on trash to be used in efforts to curb the ever increasing problem of marine debris.

Downunder Kayaking is seeking volunteers for a cleanup effort on September 14th, 1-4pm – by kayak or boat.  Chris Cryder, Director of Habitat Restoration for the CT Fund for the Environment, will join paddlers to provide an educational element to this event, appropriate for children through adults.  Participants may rent kayaks from Downunder, or bring their own.  Guides fees are waived.  Boaters are welcome and asked to assist with returning trash to Downunder for disposal. Areas patrolled include Five Mile River, nearby Norwalk and Darien Beaches, and the Fish Islands.  Kayakers will meet at Downunder Kayaking, 157 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton CT.

For the past three years Downunder Kayaking has been educating paddlers 4 years - 70+ on the marine environment, how fragile it is and the impact trash has on it – especially on marine wildlife.  “Kayakers see the trash as they paddle the River and the Sound, which makes them aware of the problem.  It’s especially bad following heavy rainfall, when land trash gets into storm drains which empty into our rivers and the ocean.  Probably the greatest impact we have had is in the children’s program.  They do ‘cleanups’ daily and learn how long it takes for trash to biodegrade.  It becomes personal and they tell their parents and friends.”  Commented Downunder Kayaking owner, Kim Beaumont.

“We paddle these areas every day, witnessing the impact of trash (primarily plastics, cigarette butts, and balloon ribbons) on the birds, and aesthetically on the shoreline.  The wildlife mistake trash for food - they can’t differentiate between plankton and plastic pellets, waterlogged plastic bags and jelly fish.  Most trash is lethal to birds and fish.  Even our food can be toxic to birds and fish.  Every little piece of trash that doesn’t make it to your garbage bin, will most likely wash away into the Sound, polluting streams and riverbeds along the way, and end up destroying the beauty or our shoreline, given that most trash takes millions of years to bio-degrade.” states Beaumont.   

Volunteers may participate on foot at local beaches, by kayak/canoe or boat.  Registration is necessary to participate.  A full cleanup kit is provided by Save the Sound, a kit that makes collecting trash safe, fun and educational.  Children are encouraged to participate. To make a reservation for kayaks call (203) 852-0011x2.  To sign-up as a participant or boat captain, or for more information contact Kim Beaumont at (203) 247-0578.  For more information on kayaking visit www.downunderkayaking.com.

To view a complete list of cleanups visit www.savethesound.org.  For more information about the International Coastal Cleanup, or to coordinate your own cleanup with Save the Sound, please contact Kierran Broatch at (203) 787-0646 Ext. 113, or e-mail kbroatch@cfenv.org.

The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup is the largest and most successful volunteer event of its kind. Since 1986 thousands of volunteers from around the globe have cleared over 100 million pounds of trash from 170,000 miles of shorelines, rivers, lakes, and wetlands! 

Mark Hawkins brings trash back by sea kayak.

Harborwatch Comes to Rowayton

 Dead Fish and Jelly Fish in Rowayton  Why?   And what can you do about it?

Over the past month there has been a major fish kill on the river and region in general - thousands of dead fish littering the waterways.  At Downunder we were constantly removing them to keep the area clean and as hygienic as possible. 

There are several reasons for this phenomen.  Basically what it comes down to is a lack of oxygen – hypoxia.  This is caused by waterways not flushing well, combine that with the bluefish running and forcing fish into oxygen depleted areas and you have thousands of dead fish. 

Jellyfish?  Well basically it’s the rise in water temperature, and unfortunately this will only increase.  Their main enemy is the leatherback turtle however they’ve been dying from mistaking plastic bags for jellies.  Reducing or eliminating your usage of plastic bags could make a difference here.

Harborwatch has been trying to do something about the water quality of our rivers and harbors for over 10 years.  A harbor and river quality monitoring agency that operates out of Earthplace in Westport, Harborwatch monitors the water quality of shallow water harbors, local estuaries and watersheds in lower Fairfield County. Data collected is supplied to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) to aid in their study of hypoxic events in LIS.  Such data is used to substantiate legislation to protect the waterways and restrict practices that cause its deterioration.

Now in Rowayton!  Harborwatch has recently received the contract to monitor Five Mile River!  In 2009 they will need trained volunteers to test the water on the river by boat (provided), and at various points upstream as far as New Canaan.  Volunteers should be 16 years and up, and be able to commit to 2 ½ days a month from May through August. 

Training is held in the fall and spring.  The next one starts on Saturday October 11^th and runs for 4 weeks, 9:30am to noon.    There is a small fee for the training.  Harborwatch also hires a couple of interns each summer – so if that appeals to you, this is a headstart! 

Volunteers will learn to do the physical testing for oxygen, connectivity, salinity, nutrients and bacteria.  Insects are also a means to determining what’s going on in the water.

For more information please call Dick Harris at 203-227-7253x121 or email r.harris@earthplace.org, www.earthplace.org. 

Kim Beaumont and Emily Schaller of Save the Sound in a beach cleanup

Guide Scott Keller during a beach cleanup

Toothbrush art using those found during a cleanup

Staff Brenden Becker disposes of 200lbs trash from 2007's cleanup

Volunteers 2007 from left Patty Super, Gail and Keenan Worthington, Judith Bacal, Brady Worthington and Mark Hawkins.

Fish Islands and Greens Ledge Lighthouse

John and Tamara Cox volunteer to bring back trash by boat, Patty Super helps.

Judith Bacal