Sea Level Rise
Sea levels are rising due to increasingly warmer annual temperatures causing glaciers and ice caps to melt at faster rates than ever before. Come join the Seaside in our efforts to monitor sea level rise in Cape Ann using marking flags, meter sticks, and spotting scopes. Teaching about sea level rise, storm surge, and the tides, both seasonal tide changes and our extreme king tides, are all part of our mission.
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What's so special about this activity?
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Measuring sea level rise is a fantastic learning exercise to visually understand the effects of environmental changes. Learning about changes in sea level and the impact of storm surges facing our coasts is paramount to the future of our cities. By understanding these changes, we can effectively plan for our future with the necessary criteria in mind.
Microplastics in Sand
Microplastics are plastic materials smaller than 5mm in length and are often not easily visible to the human eye. They have been found in our food, water, and air. The source of microplastic is the breakdown of macroplastics and the nurdles used to create these macroplastic items. Areas with large amounts of microplastics may be directly correlated to macroplastic accumulation areas on our beaches impacted by weather winds and currents.
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What's so special about this activity?
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This provides a hands-on learning environment! We carefully determine the amount of plastic contamination by measuring the amount of microplastics present in the beach sand. We utilize high quality sieves of multiple sizes to sift through the sand; these sieves are extremely effective at separating out microplastics, which you'll be able to see for yourself!
With our experience and tools, we can easily teach our volunteers how to carry out these beach surveys and directly contribute to removing harmful plastics from our waterways.
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Join Us In Protecting Our Oceans!
Time: All Cleanups are 9-11 AM EST
Waivers & Registration: To attend a Cleanup, please sign up here which includes the waiver
Weather: If the forecast calls for inclement weather, we will postpone
What to Bring: Appropriate clothes for being on the coast, hat, sunscreen, water, snack, thin gloves optional, hand sanitizer, and a friend or two! We supply everything we’ll need for the cleanups
Questions & Communication: An email will be sent to all registered participants a day or two before the event. Please contact us info@seasidesustainability.org, 978.381.3302
Meeting Points, Parking & Bathrooms: We will send all registrants specific logistics for each location prior to the event. If possible, try and carpool
COASTAL CLEANUPS
Taking initiative to preserve and protect the marine environment
About
Seaside Sustainability strives to promote clean waterways and oceans not just through legislation, but also by leading communities in more direct ways, such as organizing Coastal Cleanups on public beaches.
Over the years, this has proven to be a success. We have collected items such as lobster traps and fishing gear, which can be harmful to the marine ecosystem if left unattended in the water. Thanks to these efforts, an abundance of trash ends up where it belongs, instead of in the ocean.
Keep Cape Ann Beautiful
Seaside Sustainability has formed a local Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Chapter - Keep Cape Ann Beautiful - to better serve our local community through litter prevention & cleanups.
Under the guidance of Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, we will be hosting Community Coastal Cleanups and Company Coastal Cleanups; two options that you can choose from to best fit your individual or group needs.
Microplastics in Sand
Microplastics are plastic materials smaller than 5mm in length and are often not easily visible to the human eye. They have been found in our food, water, and air. The source of microplastic is the breakdown of macroplastics and the nurdles used to create these macroplastic items. Areas with large amounts of microplastics may be directly correlated to macroplastic accumulation areas on our beaches impacted by weather winds and currents.
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What's so special about this activity?
​
This provides a hands-on learning environment! We carefully determine the amount of plastic contamination by measuring the amount of microplastics present in the beach sand. We utilize high quality sieves of multiple sizes to sift through the sand; these sieves are extremely effective at separating out microplastics, which you'll be able to see for yourself!
With our experience and tools, we can easily teach our volunteers how to carry out these beach surveys and directly contribute to removing harmful plastics from our waterways.
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Community Coastal Cleanups are best suited for individuals or small groups looking to volunteer their time to clean their local community alongside like-minded individuals.
Green Scholars - Our award-winning project-based learning curriculum is built on the foundations of project management, leadership, and sustainability. Students undertake a hands-on project with real-world outcomes that directly benefit schools, districts and/or communities.
Green Scholars - Our award-winning project-based learning curriculum is built on the foundations of project management, leadership, and sustainability. Students undertake a hands-on project with real-world outcomes that directly benefit schools, districts and/or communities.
Coastal Cleanups - Take action in your local community by participating in a coastal cleanup near you!
Company Coastal Cleanups are best suited for small-medium sized groups looking for a more individualized experience geared towards team-building and improving their business' local community.
